ManyWriters

In my third year of matrimony with Ethan Williams, his former sweetheart unexpectedly resurfaced in our lives, now working as a humble retail assistant.
Ethan, filled with compassion for her unfortunate circumstances, acquired the entire establishment as a "reunion present."
His extravagant act became the talk of our social circle. Meanwhile, I, his spouse, became the subject of ridicule—Mrs. Williams, the naive fool.
I remained silent. Instead, I dispatched a courteous floral arrangement to the newly acquired store. Then, dressed in somber attire, I visited his sibling's final resting place to release my anguish.
"Ethan," I murmured, my tears dampening the stone, "I've discovered a means to escape your brother's grip. Though he shares your gaze, he's a different person entirely."
My words lingered in the silence, laden with sorrow, until a recognizable voice behind me inquired: "What on earth did you just say?"

Graveyard Whispers and Store-Bought Love

The evening following Jared's departure, I returned from my job at the local store to discover a note and $10,000 waiting for me.


Jared's message explained that the Williams clan had declined to give him the money outright. Instead, they insisted he "demonstrate his worth" by working for their business before they'd consider granting him a loan.


He implored me to wait for him. He vowed we'd attend university together, escape our troubled backgrounds, and begin anew.


I had faith in his words. I figured it was just another instance of affluent families making things needlessly complex.


However, a fortnight later, everything fell apart.


The authorities contacted me. Jared was no more.


He had perished in the vast, merciless ocean.


Upon arriving at the beach, I saw his lifeless form on the sand. His once-slender body was swollen and colorless, unrecognizable from the young man I had known.


Chapter 9