CHARLOTTE

“You have two options, Signora Thuthai,” the lawyer started, but I interrupted him by shaking my head slowly. While I understood the mistake, hearing myself referred to as Rogerio’s wife felt like a blade cutting through the open wound in my heart. I swallowed and stopped myself from wrapping my arms around my body as a chill ran down my spine.

He stopped to listen to me with rapt attention, his eyes holding an interesting mix of empathy and curiosity. I stared at him with a blank expression, slightly impressed that he remained unfazed by the silence or the stare. It was impressive, really; he reminded me of Maria....