“Leon, you came.” Aria didn’t sound like herself. Or she didn’t sound like the woman Leon associated with that name. Her demeanour had changed completely. She now appeared calm and relaxed. It’s a side of her he had never seen. Before, she’d been full of life, flying from one interest to the next as she tried to satisfy a desperate need for something she didn’t understand or could name. She’d push herself and others all the way until everything and everyone collapsed under the strain. Removing one small, unnecessary pill from her life made a remarkable difference that he could only marvel at. He’d wished he’d seen this earlier. “Yeah, why wouldn’t I come? I told you I wasn’t going anywhere.” Aria appeared speechless. He couldn’t believe it. She believed he’d dumped her here and walked away. “I don’t know what I expected, really. But thank you.” Leon knew he’d need to adapt too a lot. Not only was she calm and relaxed, but she thanked him. For what

“I’m sorry I’ve written four full-length novels and am writing a fifth right now. So please tell me the title of which novel you’re speaking of, and specifically which character do you believe is you?” Julie knew this would happen, eventually. Someone would express how unhappy they were with the belief Julie wrote a character about them, and it would shine a light on their behaviour. “You won’t deny writing about us?” Valorie’s disbelief positively dripped from her words. Julie couldn’t believe they expected her to fall for something so stupid. She mentioned it to Aria, and possibly mentioned it to Lizzi, but it was a casual remark if she did. Julie couldn’t recall mentioning it to Valorie, but it didn’t matter. Instead, Julie turned Valorie’s words back on her with her own pointed message. “I think my writing reflects more on your guilty conscience and my ability to write relatable characters; don’t you think? So, will you admit you’re embarrassed that it mig

The next evening, Michael took Julie to see the new house. It wasn’t far from where the condo they lived in was. As they entered a gated community, she felt like they were stepping into a different world. Julie saw other residents. Living in this place would feel odd, because guards secured the community’s gates, while only residents used the roads and walkways. “What’s the matter, Julie?” “I feel like we’re in a fishbowl. Everyone here will know us and what we’re doing. They’ll judge us.” “I’m sure they’ll be too busy worrying about how everyone is judging them, too.” Michael said. “That does not define this community. Here we can relax and know that our family will be safe. The area boasts excellent schools, three well-maintained parks, its own access to the local mall, and a private gym only for residents.” “It sounds so isolating.” “I thought you preferred to avoid socializing?” “How can I collaborate wit

Julie didn’t know how to respond to Michael’s words, but that didn’t stop her from questioning everything she wanted to say. She wanted her dreams she’d lived with and later forced to push aside. Julie knew that her feelings and dreams made little sense to anyone but her. Julie found many of her hopes and dreams based in her past traumas, and she’d have to grow past them. To her, nothing made sense these days, because she used her past to translate the present. Only that didn’t work anymore, Michael changed it all. She’d learned she could live her life questioning everything and doing nothing. Or just go with whatever happened and live with whatever unfolded. She could plan everything to the tiniest detail, but the plan could fall apart before she even started. People weren’t truthful, and she hated that. Ultimately, she had to continue, regardless of their presence. Julie pondered the extent of Michael’s temptation. She wanted to believe he wanted this. Julie

“Julie, come to bed, love. It’s late. You can do that in the morning. I’m sure that the interior designer will understand if you don’t have it waiting for him at nine in the morning.” Michael stood at the door to Julie’s office with his arms crossed before him and a stern look on his face. She’d been more preoccupied since he’d bought her the house. She’d currently focused on the interior designer’s requests, while also editing her novel and working on a new one. Julie needed everything to be perfect within the house. He liked that she’d busied herself with it. If she saw the house as her home. The one she’d always wanted; he was sure she’d settle down and accept their marriage. Perhaps she’d be able to accept having a family with him as well. There was nothing he wanted more now. She continued to do things for him every day that made his day perfect in his eyes. He saw no motive for Julie’s actions. But that didn’t matter because he had his own w