Seeing her brought back horrific memories, things I'd long shut out of my psyche. I took a deep breath and tried to exhale, but I couldn't. The weight of it all closed in on me. The lies she told. The ones I'd believed. The rituals and preparation. The false love and promises.

All the nights I'd lain in my bed wishing on the stars.

I'd loved her once. Long ago.

Looking back in the rearview, I studied her features. She looked the same. Tall and foreboding, her lips pressed ...