d behind Julian Hayes, my hand resting lightly on his shoulder, a perfect, smiling accessory. For six years

was my b

id, his voice smooth as he threw a sta

amed Daniel, smirked. "You're already in dee

kered over to me. A slow, cruel smile s

blood drain from my face, but my smile remained frozen

inued, his voice dangerously casua

humiliating, public branding. I was not a pe

othing but debt and despair. Julian appeared like a savior, paying off everything and offerin

tiful pet he showed off at parties. He was charismatic to the world, but

ghost I could never compete with. He paraded them in front of

ulling me onto his lap and kissing me hard, a display of own

e in the room sounded distant, muffl

red by a young woman standing by the door. She was a carbon copy of the faded

his voice softer than

He offered her a ride home, his charm on full disp

d. I loved him, or I had loved the man I thought he was. But th

ling sick for weeks, but I' d dismissed it as stress. Tonight, the fe

home, it felt cold and alien. Chloe was not with him, but h

as a message from my

e you ready to come hom

oved of Julian. She had offered me a way out a hundred times, but I had alw

ion of the poker game, the sight of Julian with Chloe, the chilling

e shaking as

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