se, wore the clothes he picked out, and smiled when cameras were on us. But inside, I was hollow

be a placeholder, a perfect wife to the publ

m hitting our cold, quiet home. Her face was ever

distracted, his eyes always searching for his phone, a sma

oldings gala. Carter led me into the bal

ore a red dress, the same shade as mine. When she turned and sa

fused and awkward murmur rippling through the crowd. I was the wife, but

s knuckles white. He didn' t look at m

my bedroom. It was the first ti

Alysha," he said, his voi

n' t

u. I promise, I will handle things. You are m

a flicker of hope. Maybe he saw me. M

as a

alty lay. He was constantly with Gia, citing work obligations. They were launching a new product li

me, a prisoner i

inner with a potential investor. It was our anniversary. He h

said, his voice rushed. "She' s havin

omised," I said

rtant, Alysha.

ection. He had chosen her. Again. I knew then that I would a

lie. The love I felt for him curdled i

sh allergy so severe it could kill her. The story was accompanied by a photo of me, at a restaurant with Carter

brutal. I was a monster, a jealous wif

he apartment, waving

this?" he

h allergy, Carter," I said, my voi

"To make it look like I' m dining with a woman who

washing over me. He had made me look like her,

lt," I said quiet

istraught. Her campaign is at

it?

ition where you compulsively lie and mimic others. You' ll say you became obsessed with

my lips. "You want me to t

his voice dangerously low. "It' s the l

eared for her safety, how she felt sorry for the "poor, troubled woman" who was ob

were a torrent of hate. "Crazy bitch." "She should be l

awn. That night, I made a decision. I could

yer. Then I wen

e phone, no doubt with Gia

do it,"

rised. "You' ll m

"But I want some

an eyebrow

ch house. And fift

slow, cruel smile spread across his face.

ear, telling him I was a gold digger.

your silence? For your

I want a divorce. I' ll sign the papers right now. The money and

mething-annoyance? surprise?-in his eyes. He

er draw up the papers. You get your money after you' ve do

d filled me

y event. But she' s received threats. She' s too scared to go." He

in my chest. It w

your money. A win-win," he said

e face, the face I once adore

ther way out.

xt morning, my hands shaking as I signed my name. I felt a bitter pang

t. It was just a transact

e was going to be much highe