All Chapters of Leave When Love Doesn't Come: Chapter 1 - Chapter 8

I drove in silence, the cramped interior of the car suffocatingly quiet.Eventually, my husband, Denis Lowery, couldn't hold back any longer."Gail, it's not what you think," he explained, sounding flustered. "Barbara and I were just collaborating on a channel and shooting videos now and then."I hummed in response, saying nothing else.Denis suddenly took my hand and pulled it against his chest. "Yell at me, hit me, do whatever you want... Just talk to me, please!"I slammed on the brakes, forcing the car to a sudden halt on the shoulder. That was when my best friend, Barbara Moore, finally broke her silence from the backseat."What do you expect her to say? We're all adults here; it's obvious what happened." She met my bloodshot eyes in the rearview mirror."Since we all just stared death in the face anyway, we might as well tell the truth. Denis and I have been together for a while now."The day your dad passed away, you went back to your hometown, and we were in your bed. I

"Gail, what are you doing?"Denis surveyed the cluttered piles of clothes on the floor before letting his gaze settle on the dark circles bruised beneath my eyes. A flicker of panic flashed across his face."Nothing. I just feel like taking a trip," I replied quietly.Relieved, he walked over and crouched down in front of me. "I knew you wouldn't stay mad at me forever. As soon as I get a break at work, I'll take you on a real vacation."He paused, a sudden thought striking him. "Oh, right. Come to the company gala tomorrow. We all just survived a near-fatal flight; it's worth celebrating."I hesitated, then nodded. I'd consider it a fitting final curtain on this pathetic marriage and friendship....At the gala the next evening, Barbara floated through the room with a bottle of wine in hand, offering dramatic toasts while clinging possessively to Denis's arm.It was a cruel reenactment of how he and I had greeted guests at our wedding. The room's mocking gazes landed squarely

"Gail..." Denis muttered in disbelief.The carpet was soaked in blood, and the room showed clear signs of a violent struggle. Those men were nowhere to be seen, and Gail was gone as well.His heart lurched. He rushed through the suite, checking every corner and opening every adjoining door, but there was no sign of her anywhere.He pulled out his phone in a panic and called her immediately. No one was answering.He tried again and again, but the same automated message came through every time, steadily wearing down the last of his patience."Someone, get in here!" he shouted.A waiter hurried into the room and stopped dead at the sight before him."What the hell happened here?" Denis demanded. "Where are the people who were in this room?""I... I don't know, sir!" the waiter stammered. "I'll call the police right away!"Denis had no intention of standing around waiting for answers. He was already heading for the door when Barbara came running up, her face full of shock."How c

As the porcelain shard cut into my wrist, my mind descended into chaos.In that second, I said goodbye to both my marriage and to the friendship I had cherished for so many years. Maybe I should have seen this double betrayal coming sooner, but waiting until now had only driven me deeper into despair.I was ready to let everything end when the door to the VIP suite burst open. A familiar figure rushed inside and pulled me into his arms."Why would you do this? I won't let you die!" he said frantically.I didn't have the strength to look up or answer.The moment I heard his voice, I passed out. When I opened my eyes again, Harrison Odom was sitting by my bedside.I wasn't surprised that he would show up. He had once told me that if Denis ever betrayed me, he would be the first person to take me away from him.Now he was keeping that promise. He had seen the videos Denis and Barbara filmed together."Some devoted husband he is. Holding his mistress's hand at what he thought was t