The Last Mrs. Parrish

by Liv Constantine

That was the first time I saw it—that little smile that played at his lips, and the look in his eyes that read Victory.

I knew he had me. It didn’t matter that he was the one who was crazy. He had the money and the influence, and he’d played his hand brilliantly.

I told myself that eventually I’d find a way to escape him. In the meantime, I did what any good mother would do: I sacrificed my happiness to protect my child.

So she misbehaved sometimes—who wouldn’t with that kind of pressure? But how do you explain to people around you that you’re cutting your child some slack because her father has reduced her to rubble?

So I did what I had learned to do best: I pushed the reality to the back of my mind and pretended that my charmed life was all that it seemed.

They’ll be fine. Just don’t be late picking them up. I have naughty plans for my husband. He can’t get enough of me.” “Enjoy it while you can.” Her face darkened. “What’s that supposed to mean?” Daphne smiled. “You’ll find out soon enough.”

“I almost feel sorry for you. I don’t know if you were born this way or if your parents screwed you up, but you’re a miserable son of a bitch. You’re never going to be happy. But the truth is, I can’t even regret being with you. Because if I hadn’t, I wouldn’t have the two most amazing gifts in my life. So I’ll trade those horrible years with you for my children. And I have plenty of love and life left in me.”

Daphne put the notebook in her purse and leaned back. Smiling and looking up, she whispered the Bard’s famous words from that play she and Julie had seen so long ago: “The king’s a beggar, now the play is done: All is well ended . . .”