My Undoing
Lies. Deceit. Eight years of meticulous fraud. To shirk responsibility, preserve his "peace." He deserted pregnant Susan, then imprisoned me in a barren marriage with forged proof. Absurdity and betrayal engulfed me. Blood surged to my head; vision darkened. Nausea overwhelmed me. I clapped a hand over my mouth, bolting to the sink, retching violently—nothing but bile, body convulsing. Eight years! My prime, my stability—built on vile, selfish lies!
Expelling Mark
The sickness eased, leaving numbness and crushing fatigue. Gripping the cold sink, I straightened, spine rigid as steel. I lacked strength to glance at Mark. Turning, I drifted back—steps unsteady. Passing his huddled form, I halted. Eyes fixed blankly on a wall stain, voice eerily calm: "Mark, leave. Now. Get out of my house." "Jennifer... I..." Mark lifted a tear-smeared face, reaching out. "Get out!" The words tore from me, icy and final. "Now!"
Calming Susan
Mark flinched. Frozen for seconds, eyes despairing, he finally hauled himself up clumsily. Without daring to look at me or Susan, he shuffled past, hunched like a broken man, and stumbled out the door. It clicked shut softly. Only Susan and I remained, her clutching Lucas, who whimpered softly. Oppressive silence descended. Susan held him protectively, watching me with wary coldness—yet a flicker of confusion.
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