Why Did You Lie To Me?

That disdainful sneer in your mugshot still haunts me.

“Why did you lie to me?” She pleaded for a response. Tears were streaming down her face. He refused to look at her. He was too cowardly to face her.

He once called her “Libby Luv, Libby Long Legs,” and many other endearing nicknames. He has dug a metaphorical hole so deep he knows he can’t escape. Has too much damage been done?

She wants him to apologize desperately. She waits in silence that is haunting her.

She wants him to build a castle out of all the sand of anger he is buried under so they can live happily ever after. He promised he would always cherish her. He once looked past her eyes and into her soul and vowed to love her until the day they both died. They planned their marriage on a small island in the Florida Keys in great detail. They both loved each other's families. This was the ultimate relationship. How could it possibly end in one night?

But instead of apologizing, he is paralyzed in fear. Or, she wonders if he is trapped in ego and possibly that big of a manipulative jerk. Her anger is mounting. Her soul shattered. She refuses to beg.

She agreed to leave as heartbroken as she was. She no longer knew that man sitting before her with his elbows on his knees and his head in his hands. She turned around as she walked out the door. He looked at her, but not with sorrow or grief. He sneered disdainfully — a look she will never forget. His ocean blue eyes, which she once loved, were soulless and empty. She no longer recognized this man.

Weeks later, she discovered more lies.

How had he planned to marry her when he was still married? Yes! His wife contacted her. Her heart sank. She went from heartbroken to embarrassed and guilty, but she did not know — how could she? He had told her he was divorced for over a year.

Meanwhile, the wife was aware of Libby and inspired by her social media. Fortunately, there were no hard feelings, and the two became friends and bonded over the experience. They even laughed. The wife knew he was a liar and cheater. He had abused her, too. This was an all too familiar story. She had wanted to reach out and warn Libby but was afraid and didn’t know how her advice would be received.

Thank you, Casey Lawrence, for this thought-provoking prompt, “Why did you lie to me?” I used the bonus, “sneered disdainfully,” as my sub-topic.

The truth will set you free

The truth will set you free has literally become a mantra in the latter portion of my life. I believe in it wholeheartedly. You can ask the people closest to me. I am brutally honest, maybe to a dis-service. My motto is do not ask if you do not want, or cannot handle, the truth.

I would rather have something sting up front than the story I told above. That was based on a true story, but I am working on a novel based on a true story, so it is a blend. I dated a man, and as it turns out, he lied to me about our entire relationship — over a year and a half. In hindsight, it was the most chaotic year of my life. The relationship ended with him beating me, just as he had to all his ex’s and his existing wife, whom I believed he was divorced from.

We are currently in the middle of a lengthy trial in the state of Florida.

That disdainful sneer is the look in his mugshot. It is the look of zero remorse as he faces two felonies and one misdemeanor. That smug little cocky smile makes me ill. I have absolutely no doubt that when he came sneaking back to me the next morning, it was not at all to apologize or bring me coffee but instead to kill me. I had written to my son three months prior that if I went missing, the police should look at this man as the primary suspect. I knew his anger was escalating. I still have nightmares about him trying to open those sliding glass doors eerily at sunrise. Fortunately, it was all caught on surveillance.

Believe me, it may be difficult to tell someone the truth, but it is even harder to cover up a trail of deceit.

Thank you for taking the time to read this. I appreciate you more than you may know. If you enjoyed this, please hold your finger down and give it fifty claps. I am new to fiction, so please comment if you have any tips for my first novel. I would love your feedback. ☺️❤️

Peace & Light

Libby Shively McAvoy

Ida Adams shared a moving story about forgiveness. It is a testament to her faith and no coincidence that I found it as we both face trials as witnesses in the state of Florida, she is helping my heart to soften.

✨ Bridget Webber shares a great article on unconditional love. I have to say I still love my ex despite the lies, betrayal, and abuse. However, that being said, practicing unconditional love does not mean you cannot have firm boundaries and self-respect. My boundary with abuse is no contact.

When I put the two articles together, I practice forgiveness and unconditional love, giving myself the gift of freedom to move forward in my life with grace and an open heart and mind. Thank you ladies. #RicksThreeGoldenRules