Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

The screen played back the moment she sneaked into the study, cunningly switching two documents with the stealth of a cat burglar.

But that was just the tip of the iceberg. There were also recordings of her lording over Beverley, hurling verbal missiles and acting like she owned the place.

Millie was caught off guard, dumbstruck.

Was it the shock from the videos, or the sting from the man's unyielding slaps?

"I thought you were just a garden-variety narcissist, shallow and short-sighted, but you're a chronic liar, bitter and mean, stirring the pot, trying to drive wedges between people."

"Slapping you was to snap you back to reality, to cut off those delusions of grandeur. It was also a warning - cut the drama, or else—"

Murray's eyes narrowed, his tone dark as a storm cloud.

"You'll find there are fates far worse than death in this world."

Millie instinctively stepped back, her fear so intense that the burning pain on her cheeks seemed trivial.

"Murray, please, I-I didn't mean to..."

Murray remained silent, his expression unreadable.

"I'll go to Beverley myself, apologize. She can yell, she can hit, I won't fight back! Just as long as she forgives me, I'll do whatever it takes."

Still, Murray said nothing.

Panicked, Millie started sobbing uncontrollably. "I didn't do it on purpose, maybe it's the hormones from the pregnancy messing with my emotions, that's why I acted that way towards Beverley..." Murray watched her pitiful display, tears streaming down her face, looking every bit the victim.

"Are you done?"

Millie paused.

"Have you cried enough?"

"Murray..."

done, if you've cried enough, then pack your

do

a cold smile: "Did you think I was joking when I told you

to me!" Millie sobbed harder, her earlier fear now dwarfed

child, you can't just

even flinch at

"No...I won't leave..."

could arrive, Millie

at Murray: "I

Your mother cares

will you explain

this

Murray was tackled, Millie's fists raining down on him in desperation.

and you're still

leave! I'd rather

refusing to listen to reason; Murray, fed up, pushed her

against the wall with a

she charged

Murray was

crashing directly into

pale, her body rigid, feeling a

Sensing something was wrong,

down to

down her legsongs slowly looking down

staining the floor.