She was walking along the highway in a wedding dress. The rain was coming down in sheets, making her nearly invisible in the darkness. Suddenly, a pair of headlights cut through the gloom. A car screeched to a halt, narrowly missing her by inches.
"Are you crazy?!" Claire shouted, jumping out of the car. "What are you doing out here? I almost killed you!" She stormed toward the girl, but the stranger suddenly buckled. Claire barely managed to catch her before she hit the pavement.
"Easy, easy now... come on, let's get you in the car." With a struggle, Claire guided the girl into the passenger seat.
"Good Lord, what a mess," Claire muttered. She was now soaked to the bone herself, shivering from both the cold and the adrenaline.
She reached for a thermos of hot tea, poured a cup, took a few quick swallows, and then handed it to the girl. "Here, drink this. It'll warm you up. What's your name?"
"A-A-Allison," the girl stammered, her teeth chattering uncontrollably.
"All right, Allison. I'm Claire. Where were you going looking like that?"
"To the river... there's a bridge near here. I need to go there."
"Why?"
"I don't want to live anymore."
Claire looked at her strange new companion and shook her head. "I don't believe you." She started the engine and pulled away. "You're coming home with me. You'll take a hot bath, get into some dry clothes, and get some sleep. Then you can decide whether you want to live or not."
Allison looked at Claire, then turned toward the window where raindrops were racing down the glass. Or were they tears? Her own tears? Yes, that was exactly how she had cried the day she became an orphan.
***
Ten-year-old Allison had stood by, watching as strangers shoveled dirt into two graves at once—her parents, killed in a car wreck. Soon the crowd of mourners began to thin, leaving the sobbing girl alone with Aunt Barbara, her mother's cousin. Her aunt took her hand and pulled her toward the cemetery gates.
"Come on, you'll stay at my place tonight. Tomorrow we're leaving."
"Where?"
"Well, you see, I can't keep you. I don't have the space or the money," Barbara hesitated, then added, "It's already been decided. Starting tomorrow, you'll be living at the group home."
And again, Allison cried, this time watching her aunt's back as she walked away. True to her word, Barbara had dropped the girl off at the orphanage and never visited her once in all the years that followed.
It wasn't hard to imagine what Allison's life had been like since then. She was a pretty girl, and the boys were constantly after her, and they weren't always polite about it. It was only the protection of a boy named David that saved her from further trauma.
He was three years older, had lived in the system since birth, and commanded respect among the other kids. Even after he aged out, Allison felt safe; besides, by then, she had learned how to stand up for herself.
David served in the Army, returned to their hometown, and got a job as a mechanic at a local garage. Then, on the day of Allison's graduation from high school, he showed up with a massive bouquet of flowers.
They started living together that day. A year later, David started talking about marriage. He truly loved Allison, and she was so used to him that she couldn't imagine life without him. But that was before she met Julian.
One day, he came into the bistro where she worked as a waitress and ordered a bottle of expensive bourbon. He just sat there and drank, clearly trying to drown some deep sorrow. Allison brought him appetizers every so often. At one point, he grabbed her hand.
"Sit."
"I beg your pardon?"
"Sit with me. Have a drink, it's on me. Tell me: what is it with you women? What do you actually want?"
"I'm sorry, sir, I'm not allowed to linger at tables, let alone sit down. Please excuse me."
Allison walked away, but all evening she found herself glancing sympathetically at this handsome, well-dressed man. A sense of utter hopelessness seemed frozen in his eyes, and she felt a sudden, strange urge to hug him and tell him it would be okay.
"Allison, hello? I've been calling you for five minutes," Sarah said, tugging on her friend's sleeve.
"Sorry, I was just thinking."
Sarah followed Allison's gaze and turned back, surprised. "No way. Are you crushing on him? What about David? He's such a great guy."
"Oh, shut up, don't be silly. I'm not 'crushing' on anyone. I just feel bad for the guy. And David... well, David is just... he's David."
Just then, Allison's phone rang. It was David, almost as if he knew they were talking about him.
"Hey, Allie, listen, I won't be home tonight. An old Army buddy of mine is in town and we're going to hang out at his place. You know how it is—grab some drinks, talk about the service. Take an Uber home, okay?"
"Sure, David."
"What's wrong with your voice? Did something happen?"
"No, everything's fine. I'm just tired. I'll go straight home and head to bed early."
"Okay, sweetheart. I won't call so I don't wake you up. I'll text you, and you can reply if you're still up. Love you, babe."
"Love you too."
After her shift ended, Allison walked out to the street. But as she headed toward the taxi stand, she saw the same man who had been at her table. He was leaning against a large black SUV, struggling to get his key into the lock. Allison hesitated, then walked over and took the keys from his hand.
"You're in no condition to drive. Let me call you a cab."
He looked at her for a long time, trying to figure out who she was, then nodded submissively. "Okay."
Allison got into the taxi with him and asked, "Where to?"
The man was silent for a moment, then gave an address. It turned out to be close by, in a prestigious new development where people didn't have to worry about money. Allison paid the driver, asked him to wait, and helped the stranger up to his penthouse.
"Well, you're home. Goodbye," she said, but he suddenly caught her hand.
"Don't go. I'm having such a bad night."
Allison looked into his grey eyes again and... she stayed. She had never seen a place like this. She walked around as if she were in a museum, staring at the expensive decor, the art, and the sleek furniture. And the bathroom? It had a massive Jacuzzi, and Allison suddenly felt a desperate need to soak in hot water and escape into the fragrant foam.
She went back into the living room, where the owner was slumped on the sofa, fast asleep. Allison walked out onto the glass balcony and sat in a cozy armchair, watching the twilight settle over the city.
A myriad of lights scattered before her like colored stars, and she felt as if she were floating above the world. It felt like a dream. She didn't know how much time had passed. The man was still sleeping, so she went into the bathroom to wash her face.
As she was drying her face with a soft, scented towel, she felt a movement behind her. Allison spun around and saw those familiar grey eyes. He reached out, turned on the water to fill the tub, and began unbuttoning her blouse.
Passion took them both instantly. Allison had never felt so desired or so bold. They couldn't get enough of each other for hours, and eventually, exhausted, they lay together in the warm water, watching their reflection in the mirrored ceiling.
"What's your name?" the man suddenly asked. She laughed.
"Allison. And yours?"
"Julian. You know, this is a first for me."
"Me too," she said, turning to him. He kissed her swollen lips.
Later, they had a late-night snack, and Allison closed her eyes in bliss—everything on the table tasted so incredible. It was only toward dawn that they finally fell asleep in each other's arms, sinking into Julian's massive, soft bed.
***
The next day, when Sarah met Allison in front of the bistro, she tilted her head in confusion. Something had subtly changed about her friend. Allison seemed older, or rather, reborn. Over the course of one night, she had become incredibly graceful, mysterious, and somehow alluring. You couldn't stop looking at her.
"What happened to you?" Sarah asked.
"To me?" Allison turned her head regally and shrugged. "Nothing. Everything's the same. Let's get to work, we're already late."
That evening, David came to pick her up. He spent the whole time telling her what a great night he'd had with his friend. They'd gone to a sports bar and then he'd seen them off at the station at noon.
"Too bad I didn't get to introduce you. But they promised to come to the wedding. Allison! Allison, are you listening?"
"Huh? Oh, yeah, of course..." She was listlessly picking at a salad, trying not to think about Julian.
God, how she wanted to be back there with him, in the fairytale that had ended that morning. She had left quietly while he was sleeping. She'd sat in a park, walked through the mall, and then headed to work. But the whole day felt grey and pathetic... just like this apartment she shared with David.
"Where are you, Allie? What's going on? Talk to me."
"Nothing, David, really! I'm sorry, I'm just exhausted. I want to go to sleep."
"Come on, I'll tuck you in."
David made the bed himself, covered Allison with a blanket, and kissed her gently.
"Da-a-avid, not tonight. I'm just dead tired."
"Okay, sleep tight, honey. Sweet dreams."
He turned off the light and left, unintentionally leaving Allison alone with her memories. She kept going back to Julian in her mind, and it made her want to cry.
David came back in a few minutes. He cleared the table, washed the dishes, and then carefully—trying not to make the old bed creak—lay down next to her, afraid of disturbing his fiancée's sleep.
***
A week passed. Allison missed Julian terribly. She wanted to see him again, but he didn't come. The grey days bled into one another, and she began to think it would never happen again.
Julian appeared just as she had resigned herself to it. He sat at her table, ordered, and watched her work. Allison, flushed with emotion, felt her heart skip a beat every time he called her over. Finding a moment, Julian touched her hand, and a shiver ran through her body.
"I want to see you," Julian said. "I'll be waiting tonight."
Allison bit her lip in desperation and walked away. David was supposed to meet her like always. What could she tell him? Don't come? But Julian? What about Julian?
David showed up twenty minutes before her shift ended. He was holding a bouquet of daisies, and Allison thought he looked pathetic. She walked out of the bistro with him and immediately saw Julian standing nearby. Julian saw them too. He raised an eyebrow, then dropped a bouquet of luxury white roses at his feet and drove off, crushing the delicate petals under his tires.
Allison barely suppressed a scream. The falling night hid the tears streaming down her face. David saw nothing. He was happy, he didn't hide it, and he wanted to be Allison's husband as soon as possible.
***
One evening, David told her he had to leave for a month.
"Don't be upset, babe. My boss is sending me for training. They're getting new equipment at the shop, and I need to get certified. As soon as I get back, we're having the wedding."
Allison jumped up and kissed him. He thought she was just excited to be his wife, and for the first time in a long time, he felt like he had his "Allie" back. That night, she was so tender with him that he nearly lost his mind with pleasure. The naive man had no idea that while she was caressing him, Allison was imagining someone else entirely.
David left, but Julian still didn't show up. Allison was frantic with despair. She was about to go to his place herself when she saw the familiar SUV outside. Allison couldn't help herself; she ran out to meet him, not noticing the look Sarah gave her as she watched her go.
Now Allison lived from one meeting to the next. They couldn't see each other every day, but they exhausted each other so much during their nights together that the following days were spent merely recovering for the next encounter. Meanwhile, David's trip was extended by another week, and Allison decided to act. She didn't want to lose Julian again. One morning, as they were parting, she told him she was pregnant.
"What?! That's impossible!" Julian stated firmly.
"Why is it impossible?"
"Well... because it just shouldn't be. Allison, I'm married! I can't have kids with a mistress!"
"Married?!" she gasped. "But you never told me..."
"You never asked! And why shouldn't I have a wife if you have a husband?"
"He's not my husband! But if you don't want me, I'll just marry David, you hear me? And I'll forget you ever existed! You'll never see your son!"
"Allison, I'm telling you again—if you're pregnant by me and not him, you're going to have to get an abortion."
"I'm pregnant by you! David hasn't even been in the city for over a month!" Allison burst into tears. "You made me cheat on him! I didn't want to!"
"You didn't want to? You didn't want to?" Julian snapped. "Get out! I said get out of here!"
"No! No, Julian, please! I love you! I'm sorry, I'm sorry!" Allison fell to her knees at his feet. He pulled her up and looked into her eyes.
"I can't leave my wife, do you understand? I can't. I can't explain it. I like being with you, but I won't leave her. I don't have the strength or the right."
"I understand," Allison said. She pulled out of his arms and went into the bedroom to get dressed.
Julian went into the bathroom. Allison glanced into the hallway, then quickly scrolled through Julian's phone and found his wallet in his briefcase.
Yes. He was married. She memorized the address from his ID and put it back. When she got home, Allison picked up her phone.
"Hello," she said quietly when a pleasant female voice answered.
"Hello, Diana. My name is Allison, and I'm your husband's mistress."
"What? Who is this? What did you say? Mistress?" The woman was clearly shaken, and for a second Allison wanted to end the call, but she didn't back down.
"Julian and I love each other," she said. "I don't know what's keeping him with you, but he desperately wants a divorce. Let him go, Diana. We're having a baby. Let Julian be happy. You don't want to spend your life with a man who doesn't love you."
"Don't worry, Allison. I'll let him go. Just tell me where and when you met. I need to be sure you aren't lying."
Allison smirked and described Julian's penthouse where they met, mentioned specific birthmarks Julian had, and added that she didn't remember every date but could name the last three. Diana began to cry and repeated, "I'm letting him go, Allison. You won. I wish you happiness..."
Allison hung up and laughed. It was so easy. Now, when Diana kicked Julian out, he would come to her because he loved her. But Julian didn't come. He called. Allison hadn't expected him to be in such a rage. He insulted her with every word he could find, and eventually, Allison burst into tears, realizing she had made a terrible mistake. She realized she had lost Julian forever.
***
David returned a few days later, and soon Allison, in a white wedding gown, was standing before guests, smiling and accepting congratulations. Sarah, adjusting her maid-of-honor sash, was just as nervous as Allison, sighing whenever she thought no one was looking.
"What is it, Sarah? What's wrong?" Allison snapped.
"Nothing, nothing! Don't worry. I'm just a little jealous, I guess..."
"Well, just a little..." Allison smirked. "How much time is left?"
"Fifteen minutes."
"Where's David?"
"Right there, with his friends... Listen, Allison, that guy... the one you were with... in the SUV... who is he to you?"
"Nobody!" Allison screamed, unable to hold it back. "None of your business! Why are you poking around in my life?" She stopped abruptly when she saw the guests nearby turn and stare in surprise.
She forced a smile and waved at them. "Everything's fine! Just wedding jitters!" Then she turned back to Sarah. "Why did you ask?"
"Because he's standing right over there, watching you," Sarah said, pointing off to the side.
Allison turned and saw Julian. He came! She won! He loved her after all! Ignoring David, who was walking toward her, and all their friends, Allison headed straight for Julian. David caught her arm.
"Come on, they're calling us for the ceremony!"
But Allison shoved him away and kept going. Julian was looking at her with an adoring gaze.
"I came for you... will you leave him right now?"
"I will!" Allison ripped off her veil, stepped over it, and without looking back, hurried after Julian. She got into his car and they drove away, leaving a humiliated groom and a stunned crowd behind them.
Allison thought they were going to Julian's place, but he took a series of winding turns, moving further away from the city center.
"Where are we going?"
"To a clinic. I want a doctor to examine you."
"Julian," Allison placed a hand gently on his arm. "I was wrong... I'm not pregnant... I'm sorry... but we'll have a chance, my love..."
The car lurched and came to a sudden halt. Julian's knuckles were white as he gripped the steering wheel, then he started driving again. Soon they were outside the city limits. The grey sky was heavy with clouds; rain was starting to fall. Allison tried to talk to him several times, but he remained silent.
"Julian," she pleaded, "can you please tell me what's going on and where we're going?"
"I'll tell you. I wanted revenge. That's why I ruined your wedding. I broke and destroyed your relationship with your fiancé, just like you broke my life. How dare you call Diana? Who do you think you are, interfering in my life? I don't want you anymore! I hate you! Now get out! Before I do something to you! Because I don't just want to kill you—I want to tear you apart."
"Julian..."
"GET OUT!" he roared. He shoved her out of the car and sped away.
And so she was left in a place she didn't know, far from the city, without a phone... though, who could she have called anyway? Allison started walking down the road, feeling the heavy raindrops streaming like tears down her face.
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