10

10

I'd never once felt remorse.

Yet in that moment, I experienced agony like never before. For the first time, I witnessed tears streaming down his usually stoic face as he uttered, "Emma, I could just choke you right now!"

Nathan's grip tightened around my throat.

But in an instant, his demeanor changed. His mouth and tongue grazed my neck as he whispered, "We'll always be together, darling."

This couldn't be Nathan; he'd despised me for so long.

I tried to break free, noticing the matching rings on the hands restraining me—the ones we'd worn as college sweethearts. A laugh escaped me, followed immediately by a flood of tears.

The familiar feeling of insanity crept in. This wasn't Nathan. Who was this person kissing me?

Mustering all my strength, I resisted, shouting, "Who are you? Stop touching me!"

I spotted an empty bottle within reach. Grabbing it, I swung with all my might at my attacker.

Glass shattered everywhere with a deafening crash.