I thought he would be my chance to escape hell, but he apparently became hell for me. Now that I

dowed by the news of Nicholas' latest scandal. Rumors, like wildfire, spread through

hant for public flirting. Defeat and exhaustion washed over me like a cold wave. The weight of it all pressed down on

down, replaced by hopelessness. How much longer could I keep f

ent. This boutique was where I shop for my clothes. It has all types of dresses for all events. I have alrea

xpression. This was our usual pre-pomp ritual. Me, stressed and running a tight schedule, booking appointments with stylists and searc

rely looking up from the magazine. His voice dripped w

half the dresses here are not even up to his taste. Either the colors were "too loud," or the necklines were "too revealing," and anything remotely inter

f a gown that shimmered with a thousand silver sequins. It was breathtaking, but I

ing a happy couple in public was exhausting. But for now, I played my part, flipping through racks of dr

game, I could play along. "The people here are going to think you're

fe," he countered with a smirk, th

on the rack. This whole charade of dress shopping wa

aring just by looking at it. I imagine how it will hug my curves in all the right places.

y spoke immediately he saw it, his voice

, surprising even myself

ountered, his tone clipped, a r

my voice firm. The truth hung heav

voice dropping to a low murmur that sent shivers

into my ear, his words laced with a ve

ress anymore. I moved away from him before his presence choked me. A prickl

ple, we seemed to be the picture-perfect couple in front of others. As I looked around to see if

or the red dress. Without a word, I disappeared into

nstead, his silence welcomed me. I stared at my reflection, and it stared back, giving me a

ce low and husky. For a moment, I almost believed him. He held my gaze longer than usual, and a fl

t of impatience in his tone. "Let's get you some matching jewelry and

s his usual way of flirting with women. I shouldn't take it seriously. But, I won't l

ed on paying for everything. It wasn't like I couldn't afford it myself, but he always insisted

k black car waiting at the curb, a practiced smile etched on Nicholas's face. He ope

terior. The air conditioner felt like it was trying to que

o a conspiratorial whisper. "You should

" he said, a wink accompanying the words that

ther one of his flings. A choked laugh escaped my li

that felt brittle and strained. "W

a single tear traced a path down my cheek. "We're married just