The Night Our Love Died

One week had slipped by since I last begged Christopher Lutherson to take up that case, and that caught his attention. The silence led him to believe that my pride was finally crushed. His arrogance drove the texts that came next.

"You're coming to the celebration party tonight. Do as I say, and I'll consider taking your father's case. This is your last chance. Don't try to guilt-trip me with your childish notion of unfairness."

My phone screen lit up, but I showed no reaction. I simply signed the divorce papers.

For five years of marriage, all I had ever known was humiliation. I endured every disgrace, every torment, just to beg the legendary lawyer Christopher to save my father, who had been framed.

He knew my father was innocent, yet he made sure the most crucial evidence didn't see the light of court, all to please his first love. He did nothing but stand by while my father was tormented.

My father succumbed to the inferno they called prison. Seven days ago, he took his own life to prove his innocence.

I only stayed with Christopher for five agonizing years so my father would have his name cleared and be released from prison. Christopher never knew that.

The legendary lawyer had won countless cases, but in the end, he made me lose the only person I had left in this world.

My father was dead. It was time for me to leave.

Cruel Husband

The lock on the door creaked and turned as my phone went dark. I was seated on the couch, my eyes on the signed papers lying on the coffee table.

Christopher came in. A faint trace of women's perfume clung to him. I recognized that scent. Rachel Riviera's favorite.

Christopher made his way to the coffee table and gave the papers a cursory glance. All he did was let out a short laugh.

"You certainly come up with new tricks fast, Natalie." He picked up the papers, crushed them in one hand without even skimming the contents, and tossed them into the trash.

"It was a hunger strike last week, and now you bring up divorce. What else would you do just to make me take your father's case? Suicide? How many times do I have to tell you, winning this case without any new evidence is nearly impossible!"

I looked at him, my heart calm. "This isn't a trick," I retorted with a tone cooler than I ever took with him. "This is serious. Sign the papers."

Christopher looked down at me as if he were above everything, above everyone. "Seriously, you can't even survive in this city without me. The party starts at eight tonight. Hotel Kebinsky."

He turned as if the conversation were already over and could not be bothered to spare me another second.

"You will attend Rachel's celebration. Go on the stage, apologize, and confess that you were delusional when you made a scene at the art exhibit. Do that,