I thought that living together as husband and wife would make him accept me. Maybe even love me.
To support his career, I bankrolled his company, pulled strings, opened every door I could.
No matter how much I gave, all I ever got in return was indifference.
At a college reunion before the new year, Zara showed up.
Morton's eyes went red the moment he saw her.
He blocked drinks for Zara. He served food onto Zara's plate. He drove Zara home.
As if the wife sitting right beside him didn't exist.
A knock at the door dragged me out of my thoughts.
I opened it to find Zara Fox standing there, her face the picture of wounded innocence.
"Viola, you've got it all wrong about Morton. There's really nothing between us."
She reached for my hand. I stepped back.
She lost her balance and crumpled to the floor with all the subtlety of a soap opera actress.
Morton, who had followed her up, saw the whole thing.
Without a word, he charged at me and shoved me hard.
My arm slammed into the sharp corner of the entryway cabinet, tearing a long gash down my skin.
Morton didn't spare me a single glance. He bent down, scooped Zara into his arms, and carried her out.