7
Michael and I had grown up together.
He was always at our house, watching me
and my brothers play, a quiet observer.
Later, I realized he’d only ever had eyes for
- me.
As a child, I tried so hard to please Mom, to
be perfect. But the pressure built up inside
- me.
I’d find a secluded spot and smash things.
Rocks, glass bottles. Anything.
It was a release, a terrifying but exhilarating
rush of destructive energy.
Michael found out. He started following me,
watching me break things.
Strangely, his presence calmed me. The rage
subsided. I didn’t feel the need to destroy
anymore.
He’d always been there for me, patient,
forgiving. I was a force of nature in the
business world, and he was my quiet anchor.
Then Jessica met him, and she wanted him.
For two years, she drove a wedge between
us, fueling arguments, eroding our trust.
But neither of us wanted to let go.
VI US VVanilo 10 101 yu
If it hadn’t been for the assault, the cancer, I
think we would have stayed together forever.
We were intertwined.
Michael finally stopped crying.
I gently pushed him away.
“Congratulations, by the way. I saw the news.
You won that international art competition.
That painting was beautiful.”
He took my hand, pressing it to his chest.
“I just wanted to prove to you that I was
worthy. That I wasn’t just some starving
artist. Now I’ve finally done it, and you’re
leaving me.”
“If I’d known about the cancer, I wouldn’t
have gone to that stupid competition. I
wouldn’t have left your side for a second.”
I pulled my hand away.
“Go, Michael. I want to be alone. Find a nice
girl. Live a good life.”
I turned to walk away. He dropped to his
knees.
“Please, Sarah. I’m begging you. Let me stay
with you. I don’t know where else to go.
Home is wherever you are.”
I couldn’t refuse. I took him to the cottage.
He cooked me dinner, then told me what had
L
happened since I left.
“After David brought your medical records
home, your dad hit your mom. For the first
time ever.
