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Chapter 117

Author: Stephie Walls
last update Last Updated: 2022-10-26 14:23:32
The next morning, I received the call. The District Attorney formally charged me with manslaughter. The state of Texas didn't differentiate between that and involuntary. They'd graciously waited until after the funeral since I hadn't been considered a flight risk, but the autopsy had revealed exactly what I knew it would. Matt had been there when I got the call and stood waiting for me to hang up.

"What did they say?" The man who'd loved me enough to propose to me made a brief appearance, concerned with my future, or maybe just how it would affect his.

I twirled the ring on my left finger. "Manslaughter."

"Have you chosen an attorney?"

"No. I've only been able to deal with one thing at a time. Guess that just moved to the top of the list. I'll have to notify the University as well."

"Do you think they'll let you continue teaching?"

"Doubtful. They don't want the negativity associated with the school."

The doorbell rang, and Matt walked away to answer it. I gathered my notes on t
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  • The Bound Collection   Chapter 118

    Dan and I met Annie and Brett at our favorite pizza place downtown. It was still fairly early in the evening, and families scurried around with their children. Brett and Dan regaled us with stories of their youth and college days that didn't seem to fit either of their personalities now. Every detail of Dan's past piqued my curiosity; I soaked it up like a sponge. As we approached the one-year mark, I wondered if he was as serious about the relationship as I was. We weren't getting any younger, and in my opinion, either he knew I was it, or I wasn't. Annie and I had discussed it at length, but she didn't have any more insight into his plans than I did. She'd badgered Brett trying to get the scoop, but he'd been close-lipped about the whole thing knowing Annie would tell me whatever he told her. Now, we both waited. We had compared time frames, hoping Dan might mimic Annie and Brett's, but that still put me a couple of months out for any confirmed commitment.I watched as Annie's att

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    "What do you want me to do, Lissa? I didn't choose my deployment date any more than you chose the date for the trial to start.""I don't have anyone else, Matt. If you're not there, I will be alone.""What is your suggestion? Would you like my Sargent's phone number to see if you can get me an excused absence?" His callous words did nothing to help the situation, and the sarcasm was uncalled for. I sat down hunched over in the kitchen chair with my elbows rested on my knees and my head in my hands. My long hair created a curtain to shield my face, but I didn't bother crying. It wouldn't change the circumstances. "There's no one left." The statement was more an acknowledgment to myself than an invitation for Matt's response."Actions have consequences, Lissa. Yours were the gravest. You think being alone is worse than being dead?"I stood slowly and stared him in the eye. "I think being dead would be the easy way out for me, and I contemplate that route daily. But I'm aware I have

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    "You look like shit, Lissa. Did you have a baby that keeps you up at night, and I missed it?"I swung my attention to Annie to find her giggling to herself. "You don't look so hot yourself, heifer." The wink I shot her direction ensured she saw my playfulness. "I haven't slept all that well the last couple nights." I didn't need to tell her why."Bad dreams?" She'd become a pro at this whole parenting gig. She never missed a beat with either kid and managed to hold completely coherent, adult conversations while breastfeeding one and changing the other. Anyone else would need more hands but not Annie Ryann. "I don't know what it is. Just not getting a lot of rest."She stopped what she was doing and gave me the eye. The one that told me she didn't believe a word I said. I scooped Alissa up and ignored her."Spill it.""There's nothing to spill. I'm just not sleeping well.""Are you nervous about getting married?"Her question was natural, based on the fact that event loomed jus

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