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23. The Flight Home
publish date:
2026-04-03 12:38:21
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Love, Lies, and I Do 72- Distance Breeds Temptation
The house felt different the day Marcus came home from the hospital. Vanessa had fluffed every pillow, set out his favorite slippers by the door, and made a pot of chicken soup that simmered all afternoon. She had imagined him walking through the door, collapsing into her arms, whispering how much he’d missed her. Instead, Marcus paused in the entryway, nodded at her, and headed straight for the bedroom. He closed the door behind him. It might as well have been made of stone.Vanessa stood in the hallway, a ladle in one hand, blinking hard. She wanted to believe he just needed time. After all, she’d seen the worry lines etched deeper on his face, the way his eyes darted away from hers, as if she were a puzzle he couldn’t quite piece together. But as the days passed, Marcus kept his distance. He ate dinner with her, but only after she called him twice. He answered her questions, but with half-smiles and shrugs. He slept on his side of the bed, back turned, lost in dreams he wouldn’t sh
Love, Lies, and I Do 71- The Sunday Dinner Catastrophe
India had started to believe Sunday dinners might finally be safe. No more side glances. No more whispered asides. Sharon had even started calling her 'dear' without that tight smile. Sometimes, India caught Alan watching her with an approving nod. She and Beth had something similar to a sisterhood. It had taken two years, but she was certain the Kincaids were starting to trust her. Maybe, she thought, she was becoming a real part of the family.That Sunday, India decided to bring her best lasagna, the one Denver swore was better than any restaurant’s. She called Sharon early, eager to show her thoughtfulness. “I’ll bring the main course tonight,” she said, smiling into the phone. “Lasagna, from scratch. Let me take care of dinner. You can relax for once.”“Oh, India, that’s so sweet,” Sharon replied, her voice syrupy. “Don’t worry about dessert. I have a little surprise for my Denver.”India didn’t think twice about it. She pictured apple crisp, Denver’s favorite, or maybe a pecan pi
Love, Lies, and I Do 70 - Pride Before a Crash
Vanessa looks at the clock, wondering why Marcus hasn’t made it home from work yet. That’s when her phone buzzed insistently on the kitchen counter, jolting her out of her thoughts. She dried her hands hastily on a dish towel and reached for it, her heart skipping a beat when she saw the hospital’s name flash across the screen. For half a second, the world seemed to freeze. Then, in a rush, she answered."Mrs. Monroe? This is Mercy General. Your husband, Marcus, has been in a car accident. He’s conscious and stable, but we need you to come in."Vanessa’s legs nearly gave out. She barely remembered grabbing her keys or how she got to her car. The ride to the hospital was a blur of red lights and whispered prayers, her hands shaking so badly she could hardly steer. Images of Marcus—hurt, bleeding, alone—flashed through her mind. By the time she reached the emergency room, Vanessa was fighting back tears, her breath coming in shallow gasps.At the front desk, she barely choked out Marcus
Love, Lies, and I Do 69 - Extending An Olive Leaf
Denver sat at the long glass conference table, his fingers drumming in a slow rhythm against the polished surface. The boardroom was unusually quiet, sunlight streaming in through the floor-to-ceiling windows and casting restless shadows across the faces of the Board of Directors. There was no escaping the tension in the air—the kind that comes when difficult decisions have been made, and the only thing left is to see them through.At the head of the table, Ms. Avery, the CFO, cleared her throat. “We all agree, then. Buying Marcus out would be the most prudent financial decision. His salary alone is a drain on resources, especially given… recent performance.”There were muted nods. Denver glanced around the room, reading the discomfort in their eyes. Nobody wanted to say it outright, but everyone knew the truth: Marcus had checked out. Maybe not physically—he still showed up to the office most days—but his mind and heart were elsewhere. The company they’d built together, once a source
Love, Lies, and I Do 68 - The Suspicion and Betrayal
Vanessa lay sprawled across the bed, a soft, nostalgic smile playing on her lips as she scrolled through the camera roll on her phone. Her thumb paused over a photo of her and India at the mall, their faces pressed together, both mid-laugh, as if the camera had caught a private joke. There were more—from the lunch where they’d shared stories and secrets, to the day they’d dared each other to try bubble tea flavors neither could pronounce. Each picture was a snapshot of a friendship blossoming in the unlikeliest of circumstances.A faint mist curled out from under the bathroom door, the sound of running water a soothing backdrop. Vanessa set her phone down on the comforter, her mind drifting between memories and hopes. For a moment, everything felt peaceful. Safe.But peace, she’d learned, was always temporary.The bedroom door creaked open, and Marcus stepped in. He was fresh from his run, shirt clinging to his back, sweat darkening his hair at the temples. He glanced around for his w
Love, Lies, and I Do 67 - A New Alliance
Vanessa glanced down at her phone, grinning at the message from India. “Meet you by the fountain at noon! Don’t be late, or I’ll buy all the shoes.” Vanessa chuckled, tossing her phone into her bag and grabbing her sunglasses. Today was the day she and India would finally put their heads together—and maybe, just maybe, hatch a plan outrageous enough to reunite their stubborn mates.The mall was already buzzing with weekend shoppers by the time Vanessa arrived. She spotted India instantly—her friend’s unmistakable laugh ringing out from the other side of the fountain, where she stood waving, a cup of iced coffee in hand. India’s energy was infectious, her smile wide and genuine, and Vanessa felt a surge of excitement. It was funny to think that just a few weeks ago, they’d considered each other enemies, barely exchanging eye contact, and when they did, they had no polite words for each other. Now, they were partners in crime, united by a single, slightly desperate mission: get their ma
Love, Lies, and I Do 16. I'm Sprung Over You
Denver had risen early, thinking about the way she kissed him. His thoughts seemed clearer than ever before. “I’m a married man. This isn’t a joke. Maybe it's temporary, but at this moment, I’m someone’s husband in real life. And that someone is India.” As their honeymoon days came and went, Denve
Love, Lies, and I Do 14. Opening Her Heart, to His
India had to admit, it wasn't that Denver made it terribly uncomfortable for her. She realized that the kiss, with that glass of wine, made it feel like more than just being friends was happening between them. But she kept in mind that drinking always made her relax, but she wondered if she was l
Love, Lies, and I Do 8. Trouble Looms
The knock at the door was thunderous, shaking the picture frames on Denver’s walls. You would have thought it was the police. India stiffened, eyes wide and red from hours of silent tears. Denver pressed his palm to her shoulder, steadying her—steadying himself. He’d been preparing for this moment
Love, Lies, and I Do 7. The Calm Before The Storm
"I've got to be honest, I feel nervous," India said, looking at him sincerely. "Okay, red or white?""Red is as good as any," India said.Denver walked away feeling relieved that he wasn't the only one nervous about all of this. He picked up two glasses. She needed a drink too. Denver took a seat
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