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.

lips quivered, and she was at a loss for words

Fitch was there and blurted out, "Fitch, look at Ozzy,

mid-sentence; with her eyes downcast,

carelessly tossed Ozzy downstairs, she had flung him

she found him dirty. Zoey didn't know

by the window, with a cigarette between his fingers. When Zoey had called

seen

it

burned down to a stub, and the

up in the moment, immersed in the memory when she and Fitch first found

she'd

- a little bit of sweetness

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

sounded tender

devour the food in his bowl,

flicked away

to get up, she was suddenly pushed down

unable to move, she felt pain; Fitch's hand traveled from her back to the nape of her neck, pressing

soft pillows. It was a one-sided release of pent-up

loudly

forehead was resting against her back, and his

of her body wash lingered in the air - a

casually grabbing a blanket to cover

to the

quick adjustment of his pants, he tossed a card