"The beginning..." I repeated, brow furrowing as I tried to arrange my fractured thoughts. "I'm not even sure where that was anymore."
I took a deep breath and pushed forward. "Luke and I...we'd been together for years, living a normal life in New York City. Or what I thought was a normal life at the time."
The haunting feeling that my entire reality had been a carefully constructed lie sent a shiver down my spine.
"Luke was a businessman, often traveling for work," I continued slowly. "And I was just...his girlfriend, waiting for him at home. Content with my oblivious little existence."
Malina nodded for me to go on, her expression impassive but eyes shining with interest. The others in the circle maintained a respectful silence, hanging on my every word.
"Then maybe...six months ag
