I take a deep breath. “Alright, it’s not a big deal. Let’s go.” We approach the door, which swings open after a few knocks. A short-statured, portly older man greets us from the doorway. He’s got a warm, albeit somewhat eccentric and toothy smile. “Welcome, welcome!” Dr. Armitage exclaims, holdi
Abby The bedroom door slammed shut with a resounding thud, echoing off the walls and reverberating through the silence. I sank down onto the floor, my back against the door, as sobs wracked my body. I buried my head in my knees, the fabric of my jeans rough against my cheeks, damp with tears. I
Moments later, Karl bursts out of Dr. Armitage’s house, a look of concern etched into his features. He opens the driver’s side door and gets in. “What happened back there?” he asks. “Talk to me.” I turn to him, my vision blurred by tears. “This is ridiculous, Karl!” I exclaim, my voice shaky. “T
Abby “Another surprise. No more appointments this time. I promise.” Karl’s proposition takes me by surprise. I just finished crying in the car over a failed visit to some quack ‘doctor’ who wants to give me strange potions to cure my fertility issues, and all I want to do is go home and climb ba
Abby With a soft sigh, I shut off the shower and step out into the steamy bathroom. I reach for my towel and get to work drying myself, feeling how the chilly air makes me shiver as the water sits on my skin. It’s the day of Karl’s press conference, and I only just woke up a little while ago. It
At first, I feel a little awkward under her expert gaze, my usual routine far more modest. But as she applies foundation and starts contouring, I find myself growing increasingly uncomfortable. “That’s a lot of makeup,” I say, frowning at my reflection. The foundation feels heavy on my skin, more
Karl “Karl, the security angle is strong,” Sarah insists, pushing a strand of her brown hair behind her ear. “It resonates with the pack’s current concerns. Why did you remove it from your final draft?” I pause, my fingers tapping on the desk. “I know, Sarah, but…” My voice trails off as I con
Abby I can feel my heart race as I descend the staircase, each click of my high heels seeming to resonate through the quiet house. Karl is standing in the hallway below, his presence dominating the space as he adjusts his tie in the mirror. I can hear him whispering under his breath, but I can’t q