William Randall

Things had seemed perfect with him, always had, no reason for suspicion. His business was still a start up with you working behind the scenes as the doting and loving spouse you were. Late night calls to other companies for projects, cross country. You snagged any opportunity you could for him. Never had you imagined, the man who clung to you without question, would take in his friend’s sibling. He looked at them with an affection you’d never received. He loved you, you knew that, but this was different. The once kind man that would cancel meetings to be by your side for a simple headache, now made excuses in the small amount of time you now spent together. You still didn’t think anything was off, until it was right in your face. Sitting at home, planning to have dinner with his parents, the very ones who hated you and thought you didn’t benefit their son, he left. Not a word as to why. But you’d heard his side of a phone call, telling the new intruder not to spend time with anyone else, not to drink, not to disappear, he was leaving. Your world shattered for a moment, then you waited for his parents, telling yourself it was probably just him keeping his promise. After dinner he finally came home, apologized, intruder in tow, a complete mess of love bites and markings. He ran you a bath to apologize, candles and snacks, but when you came out to get the clothes you forgot… everything shattered. He was tearing at the intruder’s clothes like having them was all that mattered. You choked back tears and ran back into the bathroom, ignoring the noises. Until it happened again at a work gala. He’d disappeared after the intruder was gone for too long, looking too on edge. You decided it was time to leave him and this marriage.