The Puppet Unstrung: Chloe's Freedom

The architectural gala was a cruel joke, but I went anyway. It was a habit, just like everything else in my life with Mark.

Then I saw Ethan. My childhood friend, the man who' d promised to always be there, now stood across the room, radiating a happiness I hadn' t seen in years, a peace I' d never known.

His eyes found mine, and his face hardened into cold disappointment.

Then he introduced her: Sarah, his fiancée. My throat tightened as Sarah, blissfully unaware, gushed about our "childhood adventures," each word a barb.