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101 Word Short Stories

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Love

March 13, 2025 7 Comments

By Nicole Nixon

Sometimes I hated him.

The way he’d pause when I said something wrong, did something bad, existed incorrectly. He’d stop, look at me, his eyes narrowing to slits of anger. His fists would clench. The veins in his temples would pulse. The release of tension—a blow, shouted words, our possessions shattering on the floor—was a relief. Nothing was worse than that first horrible pause.

Then he’d slip into bed with kisses and apologies. Bring me flowers. Plan a beautiful day. And I forgave him. Until I couldn’t anymore.

I loved him. I did. But I loved our daughter more.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Lara says

    March 13, 2025 at 10:00 am

    this made me tear up omg….

    Reply
  2. Nicole (author) says

    March 13, 2025 at 10:44 am

    I would describe this as a way to give the message behind It Ends with Us (aka none of this has happened to me lol, don’t worry)

    Reply
    • Karen says

      March 18, 2025 at 8:51 am

      So glad for that clarification.
      Good imagery; can’t wait to read the book!

      Reply
  3. Eliza Mimski says

    March 13, 2025 at 7:04 pm

    This was painful to read… so honest…

    Reply
  4. Faith says

    March 19, 2025 at 7:59 am

    You made me see it. Triggered childhood trauma except we didn’t get out.

    Reply
  5. Pamela Cartlidge says

    March 19, 2025 at 11:23 am

    We forgive, forgive, forgive until we can’t anymore.

    Reply
  6. Ed Kratz says

    March 19, 2025 at 3:52 pm

    Great. Did a good job of hitting strong emotions and summing up a relationship. And a possibly upbeat meaning.

    Reply

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