Their once-loving relationship had faded.

A chasm lay between them.

Sarah's career plummeted, while Bradley was overwhelmed by company affairs.

He began to think of me again.

As I left the office, he stood there with a bouquet, his eyes red.

With a bitter smile, he said, "Ally, I'm struggling so much now. Could you at least glance my way?"

This was hardly struggle.

I didn't take the flowers, and his expression shifted, filled with agony.

I feeded him something far more painful.

He curiously opened the first page, and his pupils rapidly contracted.

His lips trembled.

"Just hurt him enough; don’t kill him."

"Be as cruel as possible—leave him...