Dear Ex-wife Marry Me by Twin Bridge

Zoey had had enough. Feeling drained, she pushed herself up and trudged to the bathroom for a shower.

Stripping down, she caught sight of the bruises that peppered her skin, souvenirs from kicks and blows, even her lips weren't

spared.

The woman in the mirror looked gaunt, and her eyes were unnaturally large against her thin face.

After her shower, she returned to find Fitch still hanging around. She didn't quite get his deal, and she didn't press him to leave.

She made herself a steaming bowl! of oatmeal, and it was only then that she felt a flicker of strength return to her body.

While she was at the sink washing dishes, the doorbell rang.

Peering through the video intercom, she saw it was the building manager.

"Zoey," the manager called out from outside.

She hurried to open the door and was met with the sight of the manager holding a small dog.

"Zoey, we found this little guy wandering around the complex. Last tsomeone tossed him into the pond to drown, but

thankfully, a passerby rescued him. We've asked around, and nobody knows whose it is. Someone mentioned it might be yours.

The dog's been at the office, but it's too noisy. Is it yours?"

Zoey stood frozen, as if struck by lightning. After a long moment, she finally took the trembling, grey pup into her arms.

Ozzy whimpered softly.

quivered, and she was at a loss

Fitch was there and blurted out,

downcast, she just quietly stroked Ozzy's

tWendy had carelessly tossed Ozzy downstairs, she had flung him

dirty. Zoey didn't

stood by the window, with a cigarette between his fingers. When Zoey had called out to him, his eyes had shone with a

hadn't seen in

heart was stirred by that glimmer in her eyes; it was

stub, and the ash

caught up in the moment, immersed in the memory when she

was back, she'd momentarily forgotten all

a little bit of sweetness could heal her

his tail furiously. He had been well-fed by Zoey before, but now

bark sounded tender and

devour the food

by the window, flicked away

was about to get up, she was suddenly pushed down

move, she felt pain; Fitch's hand traveled from her back to

a one-sided release of pent-up

creaked loudly

was resting against her back, and his breaths

showered, the scent of her body wash lingered in the air - a fragrance Fitch

grabbing a blanket

the

After a quick adjustment of