I fancy myself a purveyor of truth, a sifter of lies, a cutter of bullshit. It's not a gift, but rather all skill, honed to a razor's edge after one too many trips down the rabbit hole.



Some may dismiss my talent as misguided cynicism, but they'd be wrong. Cliches about hope and faith in mankind are an effort to keep the dreamers dreaming. Experiences don't lie—people do.



While I'm not proud of the circumstances that led me to this way of thinking, I respect the journey. The road to enlightenment can be dark and foreboding, but the destination makes it all worthwhile.



But funny thing about the past—it's a defiant child refusing to stay in time out. No matter how deeply buried, it can always pop up when least expected, and sink its claws into the flesh of your heart.



I've avoided this day, ran from it, for the past eight years. And still we meet again.



But to truly understand, to feel my dread and fear my future as I do, it's important to know what happened in my past. Or who . . .



My name is Marlo Rivers, and this is my story of corrupted love.



Contains mature themes.