I had given up

Summary

I was being brought back to the family home, and the girl who had taken my place was dying.

My parents never left her side. My brother blamed me for coming back and upsetting her. My husband was her doctor, and even in the middle of our cold, mechanical lovemaking, he would leave at the sound of her voice.

I had tolerated her, made excuses for her, given way to her every whim. But this time was different. She had pushed me down the stairs on our wedding anniversary, on purpose.

As they loaded me into the ambulance, my husband was still defending her.