ley

as the vase fle

e heavy crystal shattered against his back with a sickening thud. He grunted in pain but hi

ous fury. "What is wrong with you?" he screamed. "Why don't you jus

d was so absurd i

college degree, for God's sake. She could be doing something respectable, but she chose this

ger and insecurity. "A worthless capitalist princess! You've never worked a r

im as nothing more than a gold-digging charity case. I had shouldered the immense pressure of running a multi-billion dollar empire, worki

e stood there with another wo

themed pillows from the couch. With a guttural cry, I began tearing them apart wi

uld reach-books, picture frames, awar

movements agile. He held her tightly, as if p

in your shadow, of being treated like an employee in my own home! I'm the youngest Chief of

understand that his entire career w

racking with a mix of desperation and bravado. "If you push me away one mor

forcing myself to stand tall. I met his furious

said, my voice b

ian, don't," she sniffled. "She's your wife. A woman's life

l laugh. "Not all women des

. The fight drained out of me, replaced by an

and turned, walking

saw a flash of panic in his eyes, as if he hadn't expected

cheerful, tinkling ringtone th

illed with maternal panic. "What? A fever?

pale. "What's wro

arm. "My youngest has a high feve

e said without a m

hoed through the empty house, a final, definit

e cold marble seeped through my clothes, but I couldn't f

ation that made sense. Those five boys

lled out my phone and di

tight and strained. "I need

's wrong? You

ting like ash in my mouth. "And our au pair

ice turned hard, the protective old

y so monstrous I could barely speak it.

nd of the line. "What? That's impossible, Ains. T

ment to the absurdity of it all. I fe

raham," I whispered, my throat closin