wanted. The realization settled in my bones, heavy an

call it. The silence inside was oppressive, each tick of

hear him enter, but I felt his presence behind me. He wrapped his arms around my waist, h

spered, his voice a lo

mall, velvet b

thing to make

a single, tiny charm. It was pretty, but it felt imperso

er birthday years ago, a gift he agonized over for weeks. The contrast wa

I said, my voice

turned me around to face him, his

Are you still up

for any sign of the man I though

he question escaped my li

ing smile faltered for a second.

nced at it. Sarah's name flashed on the

ay from me. He walked into the living room

he tone was enough. After a minute

h's car broke down. I

t the door before

y anymore. I just felt a profound

hared. I started packing a small bag, though I didn't know where I would go. A

rom an unkn

, the sheets tangled around my bare shoulders. It was an intimat

shake. Then, another

disgusti

anot

from him.

rah. It h

he messages vanished. "This message was deleted." Her words, her threat,

mbness. Tears of fury and humiliation streamed down my

for "late nights at the office." I knew he would

open on the table. Sarah was laughing at someth

en he saw me. "Olivia?

arah, my voice shaking with r

sk of innocence. "I don't kno

ering. "Mark, she sent me a photo of

e to Sarah's theatrical confusion. Inst

on my phone. How did you see it?

ole my breath. "What?

e in my phone?" he pr

that she has it! It matters that she sent it

He didn't want to believe me. It was easier to believe I was a jealous,

up my phone, showing him the screenshot I managed to take of the deleted mes

n, then back at me, his