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

passwd he knew.

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

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

are finedun the photo, unable to look away. They were other for six years. He knew Shirley’s hands like

slender yet soft, with perfectly trimmed nails and a natural pink hue. They felt warm and delicate like they’d melt into his palms.

caption on the

of May. I got married.”

his face drained of color, turning ghostly pale.

she was someone

a young girl boldly walked toward

The crowd watched with disbelief

me?” he had asked.

like you!” she’d replied, her voce light but persistent

eyes sparkled with

a porcelain doll, her gaze clear and

I’m crippled,” he

unwavering tone.