was tight with controlled anger. "You

He knew. He had always known s

id, his voice low and firm. "

rategy. He promised to make it look like a quiet, amicable di

y, delivered by a solemn-faced courier. My fath

ady. Every stroke of the pen severed another tie

le, a shadow of remorse in his eyes. He fussed o

ught husband perfectly. It was a

ured, his touch light on my arm.

e mixture of fear and possessiven

er, then stood. "I need to check

d open again. Bethany. Her eyes, usu

esence a cold draft. "You think y

my spine. The air c

help, but her hand clamped ove

her breath hot against my

The door was shut. I was alone

cal scalpel. Its blade glinted

red, a chilling smile spreading across her fa

e a prelude t

le pain erupted through me a

sibly strong, fueled by a sadistic glee. My bo

sion, each cut carefully placed,

a kaleidoscope of white-

cifully,

n. My body felt... different. Bandages covere

by my bed, an expression o

voice flat. "She was distraught after your nea

cument. A non-disclosure

It's for Bethany's sake. To protect her. You

ect her? The woman wh

y whisper. "You expect me to pro

n to, Emmy. She was under stress.

pen into my ha

s, but from unspeakable rage. I wo

snarled, and nodded to the t

to the paper. The pen scratched across t

im, to administer my new pai

ffocating. I lay there, a broken

d had not sna