Juniper Marlow:He Called Me Stale, She's Only 25

MainCharacters

Sophia: A dedicated psychologist in her mid-thirties, Sophia is intelligent, empathetic, and professional. She has a history of helping patients with trauma, including her husband Marcus. Her journey in the book is one of self-realization and reclaiming her self-worth after discovering her husband's infidelity. She interacts closely with her colleague Jane and her husband Marcus.

Marcus: A former Marine in his early thirties, Marcus suffers from PTSD and initially sought Sophia's help as a patient. He is complex, struggling with his trauma and the pressures of maintaining a facade of normalcy. His affair with Emma reveals his vulnerabilities and the cracks in his marriage with Sophia. He interacts with Sophia, Emma, and his colleague Tom.

Sophia and Marcus: Their relationship began as a professional one, evolving into a romantic partnership. Over time, the pressures of Sophia's career and Marcus's unresolved trauma strain their marriage. Marcus's affair with Emma, a younger woman who resembles a younger Sophia, becomes the catalyst for Sophia's decision to reclaim her life and self-respect.

Main Themes

The novel explores themes of betrayal, self-worth, and the complexities of human relationships. Through Sophia's journey, it highlights the importance of self-respect and the courage it takes to confront painful truths and make difficult decisions for one's well-being.

Hot Chapters

Chapter 1

Sometimes a woman's intuition is just that sharp. It was Friday night, and Marcus was in the shower. I could hear him humming some old military tune, the sound bouncing off the bathroom tiles. I had my patient notes spread across the coffee table, prepping for Monday's sessions, when his phone lit up.

Chapter 2

I grabbed my phone with shaking hands. Emma Wilson. I knew where I'd seen her before. It was about six months ago. Marcus had been rushed to the ER with what the paramedics called a severe panic attack. I'd gotten the call at my office and dropped everything to meet him there.

Chapter 3

I lit another cigarette and watched the smoke curl up toward our bedroom ceiling. Marcus hadn't stirred in over an hour, his breathing deep and even. How long had it been since he'd touched me? Really touched me, not just the perfunctory kisses goodbye or the brief squeeze of my shoulder when he passed behind my chair at dinner.

Chapter 4

When I finally crept back into our bedroom, Marcus was exactly where I'd left him, turned toward the wall with most of the bed empty behind him. An unconscious invitation or a deliberate statement, I couldn't tell anymore.

Chapter 5

"I want a divorce." I called Jane the next morning before I'd even had my coffee. She was probably still in bed, but I couldn't wait another minute to say the words out loud.