it up and given it to her. He had taken our past, our shared dreams, and handed them over as a trinket to his new

he hospital with an emergency. He wa

my bones. I had been a fool to think he would sho

ching back months. Pictures of her in revealing clothes, messages about how lonely she was, how only he understood her. And his replies. Kind, comforting, and encouraging. He

stered. "Chloe, I' m so sorry. I got hel

ice quiet but firm. "J

look ashamed. "What d

d went into the kitchen. I opened the refrigerator and took out

pleading. "Chloe, please.

ishwasher. Every movement was precise, controlled. I was clos

g around each other like ghosts in our own home. His mother invited us for a

she said, when Ethan was out of the room, "Ethan' s father... he was a lot like him. Always looking for someo

. She saw it. She kne

s just end this peacefully, Ethan. For everyone'

ou being so difficult? Can' t we just work through this?" He was annoyed, not heartbroken. Annoye

home office to prepare for my audition. I put on my headphones and started a practice rec

from my own pain, I didn't realize that Ethan had opened the door.

s actions show me he loves his own needs more. He doesn' t see

g horror. For the first time, he was hearing my story, not from my lips, but fr