HARMLESS

Harmless

How did the flowers I planted smell?

"Just like you, my love."

I didn't think twice.

Why would I?

It seemed harmless.

---

"Baby, you're late."

"Work was exhausting.

I fell asleep at my desk."

But you brought me flowers.

So I let it go.

---

"You changed your perfume?"

"Yeah.

Thought I'd try something new."

"I don't like it.

Too feminine."

You laughed.

"Come here.

Let me give you a massage."

And I did.

Slowly surrendering

to sleep,

your hands

as gentle

as they'd always been.

---

The roses

filled the room,

their perfume

smothering

every question

I was too afraid

to ask.

For a while,

it worked.

Until flowers

began to wilt.

Until sweetness

began to rot.

And when decay

finally revealed

what beauty had hidden,

I realised

you had always been

an excellent liar.