But I told my brother out loud, “I really love the idea of turning this project into a longer piece. The history that went into making the two people with the love story we’ve always taken for granted is fascinating. I mean, slavery, dynasties, two major civil wars that still define who their countries are—that’s totally worth exploring for another three years of school.”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah.” I couldn’t see Byron, but it sounded like he was rolling his eyes. “My cop show would be way more interesting.”

So no, Byron wasn’t the most encouraging person I could’ve called. That probably would’ve been Lena, who I hadn’t spoken to in years.

But I was grateful to have someone from my old life to talk to at all. I was also grateful to have a project goal that I could complete over the last three years of my marriage sentence.

It was almost beginning to feel as if I’d won. Almost…

“Good idea. I was searching for other things to take away from you.”

Victor’s words from our second anniversary continued to haunt me.

The morning of our seventh anniversary, I woke up and held my breath. I’d transferred another grip of money from the account he’d set up for me. And I was sure this would be the time that Victor would make good on his threat to take away the one thing I truly loved.

But Victor didn’t show up that morning. Or that afternoon. Or even while I was eating dinner. I hadn’t gotten the date wrong. I checked and double-checked and even asked the Amazon device I bought myself as a second graduation gift to make sure it was May 25th.

It got so late that I put on pajamas and crawled into bed.

Maybe he’d gotten caught up with business.

Maybe he’d gotten hurt. He was a Chinese gangster, after all, no matter how many expensive business suits he put on over it.

Or maybe he’d found somebody else. Somebody permanent.

I poked at that last maybe, wanting it to bring me solace. If Victor were booed up, then this would be over. The two guards who took turns sitting outside the house and driving me to school would still be there, but I’d be free of Victor.

Which was what I wanted.

Right? I asked the dark.

Right? I asked my heart.

Right? I asked my restless body.

The dark didn’t answer. And my heart was beating so fast and loud, I couldn’t hear anything it was trying to say to me.

And my body…

It throbbed, not understanding why it hadn’t been thoroughly sexed today. Throbbed to the point that I didn’t think I would be able to fall asleep. Not without…