Love soured her. She thought she had him. But she didn’t. He led her on. That’s what she thought. And then left her; went back to his wife, his kids, a house in the suburbs. These things always go that way.

He told her he loved her. So many times, he told her that. Like a broken record. His voice even skipped when he said it. With crackles and pops. Scratches. He said his word was true, and she believed him. They always do. And then it’s too late. Hearts are broken. Threats are made.  Damaging words. 

The woman refused to let him go. She tried everything to keep him. Told him she was pregnant. She was going to have his child. He gave her money. Some things can’t be bought.

But there was no child. She lied. Imagine that. A scorned woman lying.

He never saw it coming. Cheaters cheat and liars lie. Both will do whatever it takes to win. Love becomes a competition. Man and woman becoming fierce rivals. Till one day, it’s over. And people do what they gotta do.

The body was found in a pile of ash. Two bullet holes in her chest. He thought he could make it go away by burning the evidence. He thought.

And now he sits in this bar telling me this story. They never go away, he said. They never go away.

She haunts you?

Yeah. She haunts me.