Chapter 11: Aftermath The refrigerator hummed in secretive indifference as Marlene navigated her morning. Its monotony barely concealed the disarray in her thoughts, each flicker of doubt manifesting in a clink of silverware or the uncertain weight of coffee cups cradled in her palms. Pictures framed a life of bygone simplicity, their frozen grins a silent indictment of the passions now in play. Her routine bore the hollo...

Chapter 9: The Rendevous Marlene leaned into a curiously strained embrace before pulling away, a halting farewell to her husband. His silver hair glinted in the early sun as he stood on the porch, hands tucked in pockets and unaware of her hurried and uneasy departure. She tossed back an excuse the night before that she would be out all day running errands in preparation for their grandson Ryan’s upcoming 5th birthday par...

Chapter 5: Crossing the Line The afternoon light hung heavy, a lazy presence that caught dust motes in its fingers and held them, suspended, between breaths. A trembling femine hand broke the silence, unfolding his latest letter—like a fragile, trembling bird—and the room contracted around the unyielding scent of him, musky cologne mingling with the sharp sterility of confinement. "I dream of running my hands over your so...