CHAPTER 006: A Manipulator

Ryan has been quiet since I dropped the news.

“Say something,” I say, my voice breaking slightly. But Ryan just stares at me, his jaw clenched, his face rigid. I know that look too well. It’s his bomb-ticking look, the one he wears when he’s moments away from an explosion.

“Julie,” Emily says. She glances at Ryan before going on, “I’m sure whoever you’ve chosen will be wonderful. After all, you found Ryan and kept him, so you must know how to make good choices in life.”

Her smile makes my fingers itch. I want to grab something-anything-and hurl it at her. My nails dig into my palms. Stay calm, I remind myself. If I react, Ryan will just assume I’ve lost my mind, and then where will I be? How would I fight for my marriage from an asylum? “No,” Ryan says, catching me off guard.

“”What?”

“The answer is no, Julie,” he says, cold and final.