Breaking Her at Thanksgiving

One year ago, Lewis had cradled Solene in his arms, whispering how much he loved her, holding her hand all the way to the hospital—blood dripping down his shirt from a head injury.A year later, he rushed out of their doctor’s appointment just to smile for a picture with a fan.Solene had tried to laugh it off when the doctor shot her a strange look. But it was getting harder to keep up the act.Her husband, Lewis Crawford, was a busy man—had always been a busy man. But the past five months had been different. No explanations. No calls to say where he’d rushed off to. Just silence—and a groan when he came back late at night.“Lewis, when are you coming back?” She’d asked him on the phone a week ago, after he left her for more than two days.There was a rustle, then a pause on his end. “I’m not sure when,” he replied dryly. “But I’ll be home for Thanksgiving.”Thanksgiving.But Thanksgiving came after their anniversary.He had forgotten it, and Solene didn’t remind him.“Stan, will you

Solene's eyes snapped open, but a sharp pain tore through her head, making her shut them once more.It'd been three days since Thanksgiving, and three days since she was shipped into the guest room like some insignificant inconvenience. Breathing in the house had become a chore.Lewis never let her work after marriage. So she was around all day, watching Lewis wrap Nyla so closely in his arms while her giggles fluttered and echoed through the house.It was like Solene wasn't even there. Like she never existed. And no one even bothered looking her way when she was close by. Not even the maids.She let out a sigh and pushed herself off the bed, wincing as pain flared through her head and neck.She didn't cry anymore after that day—there was no point. But she couldn't deny how much she felt like screaming her lungs out. Just to let out the fire burning through her veins.Her hand dragged along the bed as she stood, knocking over a stapled piece of paper. She picked it up and stared at it

Lewis exhaled sharply, forcing himself to calm down. Then he turned back to the phone, typing one last message. “We're on in ten minutes. Where the hell are you?" No reply. He just shoved the phone back into the assistant's waiting hands and ran his hand down his face. Miss A had always been difficult—mysterious, but she had never not shown up for a showcase. Never. And she knew better than to stand him up at a time like this. He peeked through the curtains. The hall was packed with buyers, investors, and the press. And the front row seats were filled with people who could make or break him in seconds. And more importantly, his rivals. “She'll show up." He said, pulling back, trying to convince himself. “We’ll begin with the secondary line. Make sure to stall as long as you can until we can get Miss A’s location.” The assistant clutched the tablet in her arms tighter. "But, sir, those pieces aren't meant to lead.” “They'll have to.” He snapped. “Just open with them.

There were only two reasons he’d chosen to attend the showcase in person—to get his mind off things, and to escape the chaos in his head.He arrived early and settled into the chair reserved for him, scrolling through his phone even as other guests attempted small talk. He barely acknowledged them, hoping the event would wrap up quickly so he could attend to more pressing matters.Then his assistant appeared in front of him, leaning close to his ear. “Sir, they’ve agreed the diamonds be shipped in two days.”His brows drew together, lifting his eyes to the man. “Were they informed that it would be sold on that same day?” “Yes, sir.” He exhaled slowly, his thoughts already calculating risks and margins. This was business he couldn’t afford to lose—not now.“Fine,” he said at last. “Just keep track of its arrival.”The assistant nodded. “Of course, sir.”As the assistant walked away, his attention drifted back to his phone.But then he looked back up quickly.Their eyes met—for half a

Before Solene woke up the next morning, Mary had wheeled up a mannequin with a black gown draped perfectly over it that Ari had shrieked when she saw it.And right after Solene assisted in getting her ready for school, she soaked herself in the bathtub and placed a call to Mae.“Reschedule all my meetings for this morning. Push them to later in the week.”“Alright, ma’am.” “Are you at work yet?” Solene asked, sliding lower into the water.“Yes. I just arrived.” “Tell Miss Wells to email her revised idea. I’ll look at it when I get back.”Mae paused for a second, then replied. “I’ll make sure she does.” The call clicked off, and Solene sank fully beneath the water, as if she could drown the thoughts clawing at her head.But within minutes she was out, sitting before her dresser—mascara framing her eyes, and red lipstick shimmering on her lips.She’d just finished styling her hair into a bun when her phone buzzed with a message.“I’ll be back today. But don’t wait up, love.” Solene