the dustpan behin

, trying to sound casual. "The docto

spot where the dustpan was

behind him, her hand p

to make you a drink," she cooed, e

shifted

t, Ava," he said, h

ch she controlled

the music room, not giv

my act remained

nto the bedroom. Ava was suppo

edge of the bed, but not too clos

ard w

rful, isn't s

d not

en in the right circles. I'm planning on ta

nfluential. An invitation to th

ave to do with me?" I

"It would look better if you were there too. As my wife. To...

g my role. A prop. A fac

blatant, his disregard f

s rose in

tentions we

seen the lo

a game. A challenge. She's exciting right now. But it's temporary. Once I'm tired of it,

er me, so profoun

elf-deception. He ac

pause, play his little game, and then pick up

sickening. His emotional

ality, his inability to grasp the de

he Atherton's

ut to go. Ethan h

ress, feeling like a sh

radiant in a vibrant red g

ve, Ava approached me,

e to give you this. It's just a mild sedativ

ckled my skin

need it

tight. "Don't be difficult, Ellie

brooked n

n. Help

, a sense of dread s

ing something terri

rol was

sociates, men much like

yourself," one of them boomed, clapp

e attention, her

his devotion, she st

ooks divine," she'd say, and

heels," she'd murmur, and he'd fi

elet on display for a silent

he spot, a quick, private

te, watching him validate his obsessi

ease her was a knif

boorish friends, sugge

, but with a

early orc

n, conveniently land

was predict

ory gleam in his eyes. She fe

s. It was long, passio

olated, a strange wooziness starti

in this public display of intimacy, his compl

nderness that now seemed like a distant dream. The dramatic irony

. My skin started to itch, an

gan to appea

at felt

py. "I don't feel well. I think.

ed. "Don't make a scene

s arm snaking around her

sified. Breathing

asped, clutching my

rossed in whispering something

ed at me. Neglec

ifference was a

ing, the physical manifestatio

e climax of

g to reach him, m

t a nearby table laden

floor, a cascade o

sudden, finally cut t

s tu

p, his express

gasping for breath, my

llap

ard was Ava's belat

god, El

e, but only after the drama,

ger, this one po