4:
The third day, I went to the temple alone,
praying for my unborn child, hoping they’d
<
find a better life in their next incarnation.
When I returned, our wedding photo was gone
from the living room wall.
“Amelia said the photo made her feel like she
was intruding,” David explained apologetically.
“She’s not well. Try to understand.”
I remembered David hanging that photo, his
face beaming. “This is a symbol of our love.
It’ll stay here, where everyone can see it,
forever.”
Now, it was gone because of a ridiculous
excuse.
I stared at him, my heart numb, and simply
nodded.
く
Relieved by my lack of reaction, he pulled me
into a hug. “Thank you, Sarah. I’ll make it up
to you…”
But being so close, I saw the love bites and
scratches on his neck.
Nausea surged through me. I pushed him.
away and fled to my room.
Amelia followed me in.
She smirked. “So, does it hurt seeing how
much David cares for me?”
I ignored her, focusing on the task at hand.
Her face fell. “Don’t you get it? David loves
- me. You’ll never compare!”
My voice was flat. “No one compares to you.
Not many can go from servicing the brother
to the brother. That takes a special kind of
talent.”
“You… You take that back!” Amelia shoved
me hard.
I stumbled back, falling hard, a sharp pain
ripping through my abdomen.
“You’ll pay for that!” she hissed, running out.
Moments later, David stormed in, furious.
“How could you say those things to her? Do you have any idea how much you’ve hurt
her?” He didn’t even notice I was on the floor.
Then, Amelia’s weepy voice drifted in. “It’s my
L
fault. If Sarah doesn’t want me here, I’ll just
leave.”
David glared at me, his eyes cold. “Sarah,
what has become of you?”
I struggled to my feet, clutching my stomach,
sweat beading on my forehead. “Was I
wrong? Why don’t you ask her what she said
to me-”
“Slap!”
David’s hand connected with my cheek. My
head spun, my ears rang, and my face
burned.
“You… hit me?!” I stared at him, disbelief and
the last shred of hope shattering.
<
He flinched, a flicker of guilt crossing his
face, quickly replaced by coldness.
“It’s your own fault for being so vicious.”
“I’m taking Amelia and moving out. When you
learn your lesson, I’ll come back.”
He turned to help Amelia pack.
The fourth day, I dragged myself out of bed.
and gathered the baby clothes I’d lovingly
prepared.
I piled them in the backyard and set them
alight.
The flickering flames consumed each tiny
garment, mirroring the burning hollowness
inside mo
The fifth day, I discarded everything that
belonged to me. Then, I called David one last
time.
Amelia answered.
“David,” she purred, “now that Sarah’s gone,
will you be with me?”
He hesitated. Then, “Yes.”
I hung up, staring at the clock, counting down
the seconds.
At midnight, a searing pain ripped through
me, and blood flowed down my legs.
I dialed Michael’s number. “Come get me. It’s
time.”
