“Are you sure?” I ask, stunned. “I wouldn’t want to impose.” “It’s not an imposition,” the woman assures me. “It’s about time they learn a good lesson. You can’t go around causing trouble and not expect to deal with the consequences.” Just then, Karl emerges from the kitchen, wiping his hands on
Karl The sun is barely hovering above the horizon as I pull up in front of Abby’s apartment building on Friday morning. I can’t help but smile as I think about the day ahead of us. My black car idles, the hum of its engine drowned out by the pop song playing on the radio—a song I can easily imag
I miss those days, miss what we were. The regret hits me like a ton of bricks, settling heavy in my chest. It’s a regret that’s been there for too long, lurking in the shadows even when I was too stubborn to acknowledge it. Finally, after another hour and a half of driving, the towering trees give
Abby The scent of mahogany and bergamot fills the air as I step into the room that was once mine—our room, really. I feel so drawn to the familiarity of it all; the embroidered curtains, the chestnut armoire that I remember picking out myself, and the plush rug that used to cushion my bare feet
“Thanks, Elsie,” I say softly. “It’s good to be back.” With that, I make my way back into the house, each step carrying a different weight, a different emotion. As I reach the top of the staircase, I hear Karl’s voice drifting from the living room, and my heart does a strange little leap. Maybe El
Abby The warm afternoon sunlight casts dappled patterns on the ground as we walk through the park, holding cardboard coffee cups in our hands. The warmth seeps through the cup, mingling with the crisp air. It’s a nice moment, bordering on something that feels almost normal. And then we stop in f
“Smells amazing in here,” Karl says as he walks in, his eyes meeting mine for a moment before landing on the pot. “Whatcha cooking?” “Spaghetti Bolognese,” I reply, stirring the pot once more. “I remember it was one of your favorites.” “Still is,” he grins, moving closer. “Need any help?” I lo
Karl The mahogany door clicks shut behind me as I step into the conference room. Members of the council, influential businessmen and entrepreneurs who hold significant power in the community, are already seated around the long table. I can feel the weight of their expectations hanging in the air