long I floated

g. But slowly, the darkness began to fade. A violent

g agony in my side that stole my breath. I groan

d my ey

thick wool blanket was tucked up to my chin. The air smelled of old books, dust, and strong chamo

into me, and the pain in my ribs flared white-h

You cracked three rib

n sitting in a rocking chair a few feet away. She had silver hair pulled

" I croaked.

knees cracking, and walked over to the couch. "This is

ights

lking by the water. I saw your body wash up against the rocks. I thought you were a corpse

ake me to a hospi

hen I dragged you out of the water, I saw the car. It was still half-submerged. I s

t me like a

I was back in the water. Freezing, black, suffocating

st the water. It

image of a sliver of light spilling from a slightly open door, and the sound of my husband's vo

ctoria's red dress hiked up to her thighs, her smirk as she looked me up a

eld, the hot tears streaming down my face, the sudden violent impact of metal slamming in

e image that st

rain. His hands in his pockets. Watchi

own my cheeks, soaking into the pillow. My chest heaved, the sobs mixing with the

e breaking. "My husband... he cut my brakes.

She didn't try to tell me to calm down. She just reached o

. If whoever did this to you was looking for you, a hospital would be the first place they'd

raw. I cried for the five years I had wasted on a monster. I cried for t

wed. The heavy, suffocating g

swollen. "Why are you helping me? Yo

he looked at the wall, where a faded p

per. "She was in a bad situation. She tried to reach out for help. But she was ignored. Th

her eyes burning with

ve someone else. I don't know you. I don't know what kind of person you are. But I know what it

pounding against my ribs.

ed to know what the world

pered. "Can you

om the coffee table and turned on the sm

. A reporter was standing ou

s wife, Lily Vance, died in a tragic car accident on the Iron Bridge two nights ago. Julian Va

on the steps of the mansion, holding a tissue to his eye, loo

he light o

hest vanished, replaced by something cold and heavy. It

to mourn me, while he spent my m

I said slowly, my vo

If he thinks you're dead, he won't be looking for you. You c

screen one last time. I loo

hands that had cooked his dinners, held his arm a

d as the river water that had tried to kill

ed my hand. "I'll help you. I