“And I believe that today, on this most important day, I must finally be honest,” Darius continued, his voice rising. He looked toward the head table, but not at me. His gaze was fixed on Simone. “This dance, this first dance in my new life, is for the one I’ve secretly loved all these ten…
The Husband’s Cruelty: With a sickening, theatrical laugh that drew the attention of everyone on the aft deck, John—her husband, her supposed partner—shoved Clara, hard and with both hands, over the low, polished railing. She cried out, a sharp, choked sound of pure shock and terror. She plunged into the cold, black, unforgiving water of…
I hadn’t possessed the strength to shatter that hope. How do you explain to a seven-year-old that death is the only deployment with no return date? Her father, my husband, Marine Sergeant David Miller, had been killed in action in the Kunar Province six months ago. But grief is not linear, and for a child, hope…
You understand, Denise? The plan is simple,” Veronica continued. I heard the telltale click of a lighter. Marcus had sworn to me that his mother had quit smoking ten years ago. “They’ll live together for six months, a year at most. Then Marcus starts saying they’re not compatible. I’ll play my part. I’ll say the…
I didn’t go home to my cats. I went to my office. Most people assume that because I dress simply, I am simple. They assume that because my husband died ten years ago, I am a lonely widow living on a pension. They don’t know that my husband and I founded Vanguard Holdings, a private…
The next twenty minutes were a blur of red strobe lights washing over the snow-covered lawn. Two EMTs burst in, their boots loud on the hardwood. One of them, a burly guy named Miller, took one look at the thermostat—which was set to ‘OFF’—and swore softly. “Jesus, how long has he been like this?” Miller asked,…
I looked at them. I looked at the parents who had told me my startup idea was “cute” but “unrealistic.” Who had suggested I marry a banker instead of becoming a founder. Who had only started calling me “successful” when the local business journal put my face on the cover. I didn’t scream. I didn’t…
The beam of my flashlight swept the room, and the sight brought me to my knees. The windows were blacked out with garbage bags taped to the glass. The room was filthy, littered with fast-food wrappers and empty water bottles. And there, curled in the corner on a bare, stained mattress, was Lily. She looked…
Then, the universe decided to prove it had a sadistic sense of humor. Samuel stepped out of the room to fetch more wine. The buffer was gone. Gerald cleared his throat. He put down his fork and straightened his tie, looking directly at Fiona as if she were a smudge on his pristine tablecloth. “We…
“Thad, wait,” Vanessa stepped forward, her smile brittle. “Baby, let’s talk. You’re tired. You just got home.” He stood up, unfolding to his full height. He seemed to fill the room, sucking the oxygen out of the air. “Get. Your. Things.” “I… I can’t,” I whispered, looking at the floor. “I have to finish the…