In the Wake of the Shattered Promises

Lotta smiled through her tears, clinging to Richard's arm as they walked away.

Kimberly let out a bitter laugh, not expecting his love for Lotta to run so deep that he'd get snipped for her.

She touched her belly, feeling the tiny life inside. This child would never know a father's love. Keeping it would only bring more pain, especially since she was moving on to a new marriage.

Wiping her tears, she made a call. "I need to schedule a pregnancy termination. As soon as possible."

The procedure was quick. Barely recovered, she received a call from Richard. "Where are you? You're not home."

"What is it?" she mumbled numbly.

He faltered at her cold tone. "Come on, don't be mad. I got you a custom anniversary gift. Come home and check it out."

Kimberly dragged her aching body back and opened the door, only to find Lotta there.

"Oh, Kimberly, you're back?" Lotta said, standing in the living room like she owned the place, directing workers as they moved things around.

In the center was a half-person-high sculpture, covered in cloth. When they unveiled it, Kimberly's eyes widened in horror.

It depicted a naked woman entangled with several men, ecstatic. It was unmistakably her face.

"You!" she gasped.

Lotta smirked viciously. "Richard's anniversary gift to you. Don't you like it? Art imitates life. I had a master sculptor create it just for you. Look at her face; it's spot-on, right?"

The sculpture depicted her past assault, and Kimberly's heart felt torn open. She slapped Lotta hard across the face, but the latter grinned triumphantly.

Spotting someone behind Kimberly, Lotta burst into tears. "I'm so sorry. I don't know what I did wrong. Please don't hit me."

"Lotta!" Richard's voice rang out.

He rushed up and shoved Kimberly to the ground. "What is wrong with you? Why did you hit her?"

Kimberly stared up at him, the love in his eyes now replaced by pure venom.

"Why?" Her voice broke, tears streaming down. "Why tell her about that? Why?"

It was her deepest, most painful secret—one Richard had sworn to keep forever. Now Lotta had weaponized it, ripping open the scar and forcing her to relive the humiliation.

He finally clocked the sculpture, but Lotta feigned innocence. "I didn't know you'd hate my choice so much. Please accept my apology."

But Richard shielded her, glaring at Kimberly with disappointment. "I chose the gift. Why take it out on her? Apologize to her."

Kimberly wanted to explain, but the post-procedure pain reminded her it was pointless. What use was reasoning with him? He only sided with the one he loved.

"Don't even think about it!" she said firmly. "She knows exactly what she's doing. And Richard, we're getting a divorce."