eetly, "You don't mind, right? Brodie told me it was just some ordina

arm. Bethany woul

night after night crafting it by hand. Her fingers had blistered and bled as she ca

her pain, and five years of her life was bei

ones like that online for just 1 dollar with free shipping. If

d that the so‑called "check‑up" had been a lie, that the man she had loved so fiercely had

er wedding ring, eyes lowering.

t off guard by Bethan

idn't reach her eyes. "But what Brodie gives me is far more precious than some

ve is real love, why is he still wearing a ring with my name on it, and

ce shook with fury as she tilted her glass, c

r was approaching, and a sly, vengeful smile twisted her

y's wrist in a tight grip. She leaned in, voice a breathles

thany down with her. Together, they tumbled into the water,

n a violent spray as bo

like a wall of ice and pulled her u

n forced her way back to the surface where she found Brodie wa

, neither of th

ny could have sworn he was

's voice cut through the air. "

arp voice that made it sound l

ond, and whatever he had bee

r Karen. He never once looked back at Bethany,

skin, yet it still felt warmer than

nd moved gently across her back as th

e had no one to cou

of the cold pool, every move

like a second skin, making eac

sive fabric, gathering around

stare right through her, t

ren and carried her out of

s a hint of triumph in her eyes as she looked straig

aze on her, his eyes full of accusation

ery word, "How could you be so cruel? You fell in, and you dragge

And he believed she'd

ing of the cold water clinging to her skin, d

die's chest, weeping softly but throwing her a smu

ess laugh esc

any didn't hesitate. She

Bethany drew back her leg and drov

Her victory vanished in an instant, terror replacing the smirk as

up, higher and lo

ot a soul moved, each person frozen in d

the spot, staring at his

following Karen as she thrashed in the water,

gh the hush, quiet yet sharp enough for all to hear. "You've already made up your