After the Last Tear: Rising from the Ashes of a Broken Marriage By Cassila K

Chapter 55

Luke's mother had been my neighbor when I first ran away from home, still learning to navigate adulthood. Her kindness and wisdom had been a lifeline.

She'd introduced me to Luke when he was eighteen - a rebellious youth who despised education.

We weren't close initially.

Everything changed when his mother fell terminally ill.

In her final days, she'd asked me to watch over Luke if possible. Like a fool, I'd promised.

So I entered Luke's life, somehow connecting with that angry young man.

The next nine years revolved around him. I thought I'd more than fulfilled my promise by then.

"Yvonne? What's on your mind? The guests are waiting." My mother's gentle squeeze brought me back to reality.

My father had thrown an extravagant celebration for my return and impending marriage into the Sterling family.

while constant chatter and camera flashes created a

seemed genuine - perhaps in

by strangers, I stayed sober but feigned tipsiness to escape outside. The clouds had dispersed, leaving a cold moon and scattered

moonlight, I saw him approaching. Luke,

in her dress, clutching his arm like a

back," Luke said

to leave, too

my wrist made

"Let go!"

to get you back?" His

but even

"I'm so sorry, Yvonne. This is all my fault. Please

distant party's warmth contrasted sharply with the cold

together

want money, right? I can be

you left me alone through those abortions, while vacationing with Mandy - what did those nine years