RENE

 “Hi, honey,” Cyril said as he strolled into my living room, completely uninvited.

 The fact that he didn’t even bother knocking made his sudden appearance all the more unnerving. I was just thankful he hadn’t shown up while my mother was here.

 “Hey… you’re here,” I said, forcing a smile as I leaned in to return his kiss, pretending his arrival didn’t unsettle me. The last thing I wanted was for Cyril to sense he wasn’t welcome.

 Despite ...