Tears for a Tyrant

As the hours dragged into the dead of night, a heavy, hollow ache settled over me. Shame burned right alongside the grief, making me feel like the biggest idiot alive. How could I even entertain the thought of loving a man who had given me nothing but misery and torment?

Vera had spent the afternoon gloating about bagging the tyrant who wrecked my life, and instead of feeling relieved that she’d