me," Mathias said, regaining his icy composure as if he'd seen righ

ake me rue our marriage, he

me would bring him such monumental distress th

ing my frame tightly against his own. The expression in his eyes was indistinct

ftly shoved

should steer clear of

probably picked up on my recent odd behavior. Gripping my chin, h

ed him for nearly a decade act

forced smile

unravel. I have no time for sentimental games of love and hate with you. If you're lonely and looking

eart would be at peace. Yet, an unidentifiable urg

g a red imprint and a per

arred by my handprint, h

e might throttle me right there. My hand trembled, not from fright, but becau

then pivoted away, leaving me with on

d felt alright. It was preferable to the emotion

earing in gossip columns, surrounded by admirers,

. It wouldn't be long before M

ee and an array of desserts while silently observing Olivia at work. Each of

an, she'd be

is here!" one of her c

etition for Mathias. Even deeply smitten with Olivia as he was, he'd cru

e'd already severed ties with her luckl

d in a white T-shirt, light blue jeans, and sporting a white baseball cap, he

d. The colle

eeted him with the gleeful enthusiasm o

by. Brought you some takoyaki too," Phil smiled, his

ure so touching it highlighted the

o see me is enough. You've been working hard passing out tho

Olivia to some snacks," Phil said, h

never bought me snacks. Not that I

d away in a corner of the restaurant. The last thing I wanted was for him to spot m

settled my bill q

ed me, as he always

ore. How had life gotten even more complex despite the second ch

o our drive, I spoke up. "L

of me, and I was eager to

gs, I spotted Phil, the college guy, waiting at a traffic light up a

the car, I saw his leg covered in blood, an

his obvious pain, seeme

ere smitten with college studen

said, "Get him to th

Walsh, a 21-year-o

ved in my phone, I felt a wave of sadness wash over me. My reve

boyfriend away? Though she resisted at first, she had accepted Mathi

might have been more rational, realizing t

reminder of my past life, where my last days were

of anger, depression, and a disordered lifestyle could da

ly compensated him for his nutritional needs and wages lost, knowing

hered substantial information about Phil. His family was ordinary, both parents we

aged to steal his gir

l visit regularly," I said as I smiled wa

d fit. I'll heal in no time," Phil

lf as young and fit almost

fling five-year marriage and a long-standing habit of neglecting prope

my way home, I stopped at a pharmacy t