A deal with the devil

“Mr. More, let it go. Even if Benjamin wanted to do something to Ms. Weiss, it’d be perfectly legal.”

“They’re married.”

“Benjamin and Shirley are already married”

“I said Shirley got married. The day you left for Newlandia, she went to the city hall with Benjamin. Half of Elderstone knows about it

Marley’s word echoed relentlessly in Samuel’s mind

Shirley and Benjamin married the same day he and Sophia left for Newlandia. The entirety of Elderstone knew about it, except for him.

So that night she hadn’t hed. She really had gotten married, and the groom was Benjamin.

No wonder she deleted everything about him. No wonder Benjamin had said he was taking back what was his.

She’d been some alco’s wide for over a week altrady.

A faint chime broke Samuel from his date. It was a low battery warning from Shirley’s phone. He glanced down and saw it lying on the floor

using the passwd he knew. He opened

showed two hands, both wearing matching diamond rings on their ring fingers. It was unmistakably a

be their wedding ring. Samuel had seen that ring before on Benjamin’s hand. It must be

photo, unable to look away. They were other for six years. He knew

perfectly trimmed nails and a natural pink hue. They felt warm and delicate like

noticed the caption on the

the oth of May. I

tightened as his face drained of color, turning

now, she was someone else’s wife

a young girl boldly

recall the party six years ago. The

he had

she’d replied, her

bright, beautiful eyes sparkled

a porcelain doll, her gaze

crippled,” he had said

stubborn and unwavering tone. “Samuel,