LORETTA

I didn't trust myself not to ruin tonight's dinner, so I left that part to Mrs Parks

Twice during the day, I contemplated texting Elion to remind him about coming home for dinner, but each time I picked up my phone to do so, I couldn't.

I didn't want him to notice I was getting desperate. Men like Elion were always observant of patters, if he suspected I was up to something, then I'm done

I've got only one shot to be free of him and regain freedom over my life. I wasn't messing this up

Dinner was ready by six fifty. Steaming hot chicken broth with vegetables and...