“Hello there, little one,” Noah murmured, his voice softer than I had heard it in years—or maybe ever. He tapped her little nose, and she wriggled and grabbed his index finger. “Aren’t you just the most beautiful thing?”As I watched Noah with Olivia, a traitorous thought crept into my mind. Would h
HannahMy fingers traced the delicate lace patterns on the pillowcase while my eyes wandered the floral wallpaper, picking out patterns that I had almost forgotten over the years. The sun streamed in through the open window, the sheer curtains billowing slightly in the wind.Everything in this room
And now, he didn’t even seem to remember them at all.Sure, we went through the motions of a honeymoon phase for a few months; we had lots of sex, shared pillow secrets, went on dates. But now, looking back, I knew that it was all an act. A tactic to keep me happy, keep me obedient until I produced
HannahI sat stiffly at the dinner table, my gaze flickering between Noah and my father.The tension in my shoulders refused to ease as I waited for some sign, some hint of the deal I was convinced they had struck earlier. Lily told me that Noah had handed my father a check to help with his failing
“There we go, little one,” he said in a soft voice. “We’ll have you all clean and comfy in no time.”I must have made a sound because Noah looked up, his eyes meeting mine in the doorway. “Did you need something, Hannah?”I shook my head, still trying to process what I was witnessing. I wanted to pi
HannahNoah’s warm hand rubbed gentle circles on my back as he held my hair, his voice soft and soothing.“I’m here for you, Hannah. Just let it out.”His tone was more tender than I had ever heard it, a contrast to the cold, calculated demeanor he usually wore. The touch of his hand, the reassuranc
As the words left my mouth, I was surprised to feel a pang of… disappointment.Why did I feel this way when all I had wanted lately was to escape? My heart seemed to betray me, caught between the freedom I had sought and a longing for something I thought was lost.Noah nodded solemnly, rising to his
HannahI made my way down to the dining room the next morning, my eyes still bleary from a fitful night of sleep. Today was the day of my father’s birthday party, and I was sure that the day would be a blur of activity. But I had my own plans today.Noah, Lily, and my parents were already at the tab