her desk chair, burying her face in her hands as she tried to process everything that had just transpired. The conf

r made her look up with

itantly. "Ms. Montgomery? Are you alright? I couldn

le. "It's fine, Nelly. You may as well k

elationship with Mark, the devastating discovery of his infidelity with her former friend Amanda, and his in

g together," Emma said bitterly, her fingers clenching into white-knuckled fists atop the desk. "The utter aud

"That's just awful, Ms. Montgomery. I can't even imagine the

able. I loved him so deeply, despite his countless flaws. He was my entire world for so long

It was like having the ground ripped out from underneath me. Like my life, my entire reality had become this twisted, cruel joke witho

expression pained as she reached acro

traitorous part of my heart that loves him despite everything. Mark has this insidious way of just...seeping under your skin,

. "A master manipulator who will say whatever he thinks you want to hear in order to regain your trust. And once

ng, Nelly. But you'd be surprised how easily I was able to ignore or rationalize away his infidelities

e that he is," Nelly insisted with surprising passion. "Can you even imagine if it had been someone else who stumbled upon

devastating scene all too vividly. She had always prided herself on being hyper-attuned to even the sl

ders tensing. "It would have been even crueler if the truth came out in some horrific, public wa

is, Ms. Montgomery, Mr. Reed has shown you his true colors time and again now. He is simply n

voice to that small, niggling kernel of doubt befor

m are concerned. All you'll do is drive yourself mad with questioning and uncertainty. He lied

er heart still foolishly yearned for Mark, for the fantasy of restoring what they once had, her friend was right - no am

ugh dwelling on the past and second-guessing myself. Mark and I are over, definitively and irrevocably

ows you deserve so much better than that liar could ever give you." She paused, seeming to consider something befo

such devotion, love, and respect, like the equal partner he believes me to be in all things. I know without a doubt that he would

rgy on building your beautiful future with Mr. Reynolds," Nelly said with an approving nod. "In fact, I think a bit

o planning my dream fairy-tale wedding to the man who actually cherishes

ght, with newfound confidence in her stance. "In fact, I suddenly have the urge to go shopping for my wedd

ss. "I would be honored, Ms... Emma! Just let me grab