Life's Dissolution

By Amy Shannon

In all the history of the Markums, Dr. Raina Markum never thought she would be betrayed by her husband. All of the promises that he ever made, he broke with one ... maybe more than one ... action. After a break from her life, the story begins when Raina returns home to Sars Springs. As she evaluates her life, she decides to make some changes. She not only changes her appearance, but her whole outlook on life. She tries to move on with her life, she has to try to deal with the intense anger that she's built up inside her.

Raina finds herself falling for another man, and begins an intense friendship, though, her mind is still consumed by thoughts of her husband, both love and hatred. As Raina tries to keep living, her grandson, Chris, loses a part of himself and has fears of being his late father, who severely abused his mother.

Will Raina be able to come to terms with her life? Will it be the end for the Markums? How will the division of the Markums affect the town?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Amy Shannon
• Release date: Nov 14, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215656204

Amy Shannon

Amy Shannon is an author, professional book reviewer and literary consultant. Amy is republishing and publishing some for the first time, her MOD Life Epic Saga, which has over 67 volumes, and 9 bonus books.

Book preview

Life’s Dissolution

Amy Shannon

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Essence Publishing

Ballston Spa, NY 12020

https://essenceenterpriseus.com/essence-publishing

2023 Edition

Copyright © 2023 by Amy C Shannon

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written permissions of the author, except by a review who may quote brief passages in a review to be printed in a newspaper, magazine, or journal.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

Thank you for downloading this ebook. This book remains the copyrighted property of the author and may not be redistributed to others for commercial or non-commercial purposes. If you enjoyed this book, please encourage your friends to download their own copy from their favorite authorized retailer. Thank you for your support.

Credits:

Cover Illustration Copyright © 2023

Cover design by Amy Shannon

The Entire MOD Life Epic Saga

1 Unwritten Life

2 Rewritten Life (Best Read after Unwritten Life)

3 Unwritten Life's Paths to Destiny (Best Read after Rewritten Life)

4 Written Life's Past Meets Present (Best Read after Rewritten Life)

5 Life's Written Past

6 Life's Unwritten Future

7 Another Written Life

8 Life … Rewritten

9 Unwritten Life & Death

10 Life's Healer

11 Life's Hindering Hope

12 Life's Binding Ties

13 Life's Resurrection

14 Life's Infiltration

15 Life's Revival

16 Life's Depths of Souls

17 Life's Explosion in Time

18 Life's Connections

19 Life's Collision

20 Life's Intersection

21 Life's Final Destination

22 Life's Generations

23 Return to Life

24 Life's Resolution

25 A New Unwritten Life

26 Life's Dissolution

27 Life's Linear Souls

28 Life's Choices

29 Life's Passions

30 Life's Awakening

31 Life's Vengeance

32 Life's Heartful Depths

33 Life's Quaking Souls

34 Fractured Life

35 Life's Drowning

36 Life's Exploration

37 Life's Curative

38 Thicker than Life's Blood

39 Life's Salvation

40 Capturing Life's Midnight

41 Life's ReEvolution

42 Life's Soulful Intentions

43 Life's Jagged Flames

44 Life's Rising Depths

45 Life's Doomed Immortality

46 Life's Raw Enforcement

47 Life's Deemed Corruption

48 Life's Inherent Immorality

49 Life's Retrospective Legacy

50 Life's Torturous Souls

51 Life's Passages

52 Life's Tribulations

53 Life's Spirituality

54 Life's Revitalizations

55 Life's Rapture

56 Life's Sacred Retaliation

57 Life's Fiery Resuscitation

58 Life's Experimentation

59 Life's Redemption

60 Life's Humanity

61 The District Life: Districtive

62 The District Life: Disarray

63 The District Life: Disassembled

64 The District Life: Disapparent

65 Life's Return: Home Sweet Sars Springs

66 Life's Return: The Practice

67 Sars Springs: The finale

Bonus Series:

B1 Life's Perspective: Matthew Garris (Best Read after Life's Binding Ties)

B2 Life's Perspective: Bill Wheeler (Best Read after Life's Binding Ties)

B3 Life's Perspective: Perspective: Mike Dix (Best Read after Life's Connections)

B4 Life's Alternate Path: Destiny ... Rewritten (Alternate Path Parallel to Unwritten Life & Death to Life's Binding Ties)

B5 Life's Alternate Path: Destiny ... Crossroads (Alternate Path Parallel to Life's Resurrection to Life's Depths of Souls)

B6 Life's Alternate Path: Destiny ... Intertwined (Alternate Path Parallel to Life's Explosion in Time to Life's Connections)

B7 Sars Springs Handbook (Best Read after Life's Torturous Souls)

B8 The Interview: Life's Revelations (Best Read after Life's Fiery Resuscitation)

B9 M.O.D Life Epic Saga Character Guide

Introduction

In all the history of the Markums, Dr. Raina Markum never thought she would be betrayed by her husband. All of the promises that he ever made, he broke with one ... maybe more than one ... action. After a break from her life, the story begins when Raina returns home to Sars Springs. As she evaluates her life, she decides to make some changes. She not only changes her appearance, but her whole outlook on life. She tries to move on with her life, she has to try to deal with the intense anger that she's built up inside her.

Raina finds herself falling for another man, and begins an intense friendship, though, her mind is still

consumed by thoughts of her husband, both love and hatred. As Raina tries to keep living, her grandson, Chris, loses a part of himself and has fears of being his late father, who severely abused his mother.

Will Raina be able to come to terms with her life? Will it be the end for the Markums? How will the division of the Markums affect the town?

1 Welcome Home

DR. RAINA MARKUM stared at the sign as she pulled over to the side of the road. Welcome to Sars Springs, population 2013, she whispered. She shook her head and put her helmet back on. She revved up the engine of her black and red Harley Davidson and headed toward the town. She rode down Main Street and stopped at the corner of West Main Street and Mulberry Road. She was about to turn on Mulberry when she made U-turn and headed back up Main Street. She pulled up Hillcrest and on to Hadley. She pulled in the driveway of the small house that sat back from the road.

Evan Jones stood up on the front porch when the motorcycle pulled into the driveway. He stared at the woman as she took off her helmet. Her blonde hair flowed down her back as she smiled at him. Raina?

She slowly walked toward him and smiled. Evan, um, hi, she said.

Wow! You look so … um … different, Evan said.

I know. It’s been a while, she said, as she walked up the front steps.

It’s not just that. The blonde hair, the leather? he laughed.

Well, yeah, I know it’s not what you’re used to, or even I’m used to, she said, as she sat next to him.

So, how was New York? he said.

Good. I spent a lot of time with my granddaughter. She starts her residency at the lab in New York, but we had a lot of time to spend with each other. We kind of had some makeovers a month ago. It was great. Spending time with Jasmine is just what I needed, she said.

Good for you. Have you been home yet? Evan asked.

No, just got in, Raina said. Oh, is he back yet?

Yeah, he came home two months ago. As far as I know, he’s still living at your house, Evan said.

How many waitresses has it been?

I–I don’t know what you’re talking about, Evan said.

You don’t have to cover for my husband. No, we’re not divorced yet, but we’re not together. He’s the one who left me six months ago. It’s all right, Evan. I figured he’d be home by now. I hope our breakup didn’t interfere with our friendship or yours and his, Raina said.

No, we didn’t know how you two were going to handle the living arrangements. It was your parents’ house and then they gave it to you and Matt.

Matt gave his half to Terry. Legally, it’s half mine and half his. We haven’t been civil enough to discuss it. I was going to go home, but I don’t really feel like having another fight. I’ve been feeling so good lately, I didn’t want to damper my feelings.

Evan touched her hand. Do you still love Terry?

Yes, of course. I’ll never stop, but since he, suddenly, decided to be with other women who weren’t me, it’s over. I could’ve forgiven him for the first woman, but he didn’t want my forgiveness. He just wanted to leave … and he did, but now, he’s back in the house.

How’d you know? Evan asked.

Starr called and told me what was going on. I’ve asked all my children not to let our issues get between them and their father. If I can’t fix it, then they certainly can’t either.

Well, Mike, Mark, and I are here for you. We hope you know that.

Yeah, well, that’s part of the reason why I’m here. I was looking for Mike, she said.

He’s in the kitchen.

Is Mark here?

No, he’s at the lab. Is there a problem with you and Mark?

I don’t think so. Well, I think because Terry and I are separated, he was hoping that something would happen with him and I, but I turned him down.

Raina, you haven’t been with anyone, have you?

No. It’s not like I’m looking for the right guy. I had him. I’m not looking for someone to make me feel better, either. I’m so not like my mother that way, she laughed.

You kind of look like her now, you know, with the blonde hair, Evan smiled.

Jasmine thought I needed a change, Raina stood up. I feel really good, inside and out. I know, I’m a little not like myself, but I’m still myself. I knew it was time to come home. I just don’t know where that home will be right now. That’s why I wanted to talk to Mike, she said.

I’ll go get him. You stay here and look beautiful, Evan said, as he kissed her cheek. He headed into the house. Mike?

Mike Dix poked his head out of the kitchen door. Was that a motorcycle I heard?

Oh, yeah, it was Raina, Evan grinned.

Really? She’s home? his eyes lit up.

Um, this you have got to see, Evan said. Come on. You’ll never believe this, he said.

What? Is something wrong? Mike asked.

You tell me, Evan said, as he opened the front door.

Mike’s eyes widened as he gazed at Raina. Raina?

Raina smiled. Mike, she walked over to him and kissed him softly on the mouth. I’ve missed you.

Oh, Raina, I’ve missed you, too, he kissed her passionately.

Evan cleared his throat. Do you want to be left alone?

Oh, sorry, Raina said. Mike, I was wondering if any of the townhouses were open.

Mike smiled. Um, yeah, there are two open right now. One in the front and one in the far back corner.

I’d like to rent one from you, if you didn’t mind, she placed her hand on his shoulder.

Um, sure, I didn’t realize…

It’s all right. I guess Terry moved back into the house. I still have to pack the rest of my things, but I need my own place, she said.

Of course. Neither one is furnished, though. Are you planning on moving any of your furniture from the house? Mike asked.

Nope. I’m ordering all my own things. Actually, I already did. I just need to call the delivery service with the address.

Um, do you want to see them?

They’re all about the same, right?

The one in the front has three bedrooms, the one in the back is a two bedroom.

Um, I’d like to see the two bedrooms if you don’t mind. I could use the second bedroom for an office, she said.

Well, whenever you want, I could take you there, Mike said.

How about I follow you over or are you busy? she asked.

Um, sure, is that your new bike?

Yeah, just picked it up. I actually got it right after I got off the plane yesterday.

Let me grab my keys and I’ll meet you over there, he said.

Sounds great, she kissed his cheek.

He watched as she sauntered toward her bike and put on her motorcycle helmet. He looked at Evan. Mark hasn’t seen her, has he?

Evan shook her head. I think we were her first stop. Mike … what are you thinking?

I don’t know, but I doubt my brother would like it, he cleared his throat, as the two men headed into the house. Did she say anything about Mark?

Just that she hasn’t been with anyone since she and Terry split and that she didn’t need to feel better. She did mention that she’s not interested in Mark. She does feel really good. New York or Jasmine did something to her, Evan said.

Maybe a little bit of both, Mike said, as he grabbed his keys. Um, don’t mention her to Mark. Let them deal with each other later.

I won’t say a word, Evan said.

Mike headed out of the house. He stared at his car and then his bike. He hopped on his bike and headed toward the Hillcrest Townhouses. He pulled into the back parking lot and pulled in beside Raina’s bike.

She stood up from the steps. I got the right one, right?

Yup, 10-A, he said, as he walked over and unlocked the door. It’s been freshly painted, and the windows were all replaced. I also updated the entire kitchen.

This is really nice. The bedrooms are upstairs? she asked, as they walked into the room.

Yes, this is the living room. There is a den over there. The kitchen can be opened by those sliding doors and there’s a large shade over the breakfast bar. There’s a cold room off the kitchen, as well as a pantry.

A cold room? Raina asked.

It’s an upstairs wine cooler type of thing. Not all townhouses have it, but the previous tenant wanted one.

What happened to the previous tenant?

She moved to Florida, Mike said.

Raina walked into each room and then walked back into the living room. I like it. How much is the rent?

Two thousand a month, Mike said.

Raina opened her purse. I’ll take it. Here are first and second month, as well as security, she said, as she wrote out her check. You do month-to-month, right?

Yeah, Mike said, as he put the check into his pocket. Raina, are you sure you’re all right?

Yeah, why?

You seem a little nervous, Mike said.

I have to face my husband. I still have to go back to my house and get some of my things, you know, like the rest of my clothes and my personal things.

When is the last time you talked to Terry? Mike asked.

The day before I left. I knew he was going to leave town and he did. I don’t know where he went or what he did, or even whom he did it with. I know he’s gone through a few different waitresses since he left me. You know, I can’t worry about what he does anymore. He always told me he’d never cheat on me, and he did. He always said he’d never leave me, and he did. It’s over between Terry and me. I tried to get him back, but he didn’t want to come back. I think he fell out of love with me. There’s nothing I can do about that anymore. I have to live my life. I’m going to move into my new home and start working at the lab again.

Good for you. You know, you have the three of us and your kids.

Yeah, I have Martin, too, but it’s kind of hard, with him being with Terry’s brother.

I understand. I know you don’t need to feel better, if you need someone to talk to, I’m here for you.

Thanks. I’d like to see upstairs. Will you show me? she smiled.

Sure, he took her hand and led her up the stairs. There’s one room here and the larger room is at the end of the hall. There’s also the bathroom, which is right here, on the left.

Great, she said, as she walked into the large bedroom. This is perfect. It even has a balcony?

Yeah, it overlooks the pool and the courtyard. If you look up at night, you can see the lights coming off Spring Tower.

Oh, so if I’m sitting here, and you three are drinking on the Tower roof, you can spy on me? she flirted.

Yup, this is the perfect place for you, he laughed.

Raina opened the doors to the balcony. It is beautiful, she smiled.

Mike walked out onto the balcony. Well, if you want, I’ll leave you alone.

Raina walked over to him and kissed him on the mouth passionately.

Mike slowly pulled away. Raina?

Oh, I’m sorry, she said. I–I didn’t…

What about Mark? he whispered.

I know that Mark is in love with me. I know that he’s your brother. I’m sorry. I don’t want to come between you two. You’re … I don’t know. I can’t explain it. Mike, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have kissed you, she turned away.

Mike placed his hand on her shoulder and turned her to face him. Raina? he whispered, as he passionately kissed her.

Mike? Do you want me?

Yes, I do so want you, he kissed her tenderly, as there was a knock on the door. Crap. Who could that be?

Sorry. Probably my furniture. I called as soon as I got here.

It’s all right. Um, I’ll let you get settled in, he said.

She took his hand and led him downstairs. Can we … I mean … talk about us later?

Us? Mike gently touched her cheek.

Us, she smiled.

He kissed her softly. Are you sure it’s me you want?

Mike, yes, I’ve wanted you for quite a while but was never able to do anything about it, she admitted.

I always thought it was Mark, he gulped.

He’s the one that loved me. The only relationship Mark and I ever had was in our dreams, she said, as she opened the door.

Raina? Mark Dix said.

Oh, Mark, what are you doing here? she asked, as she noticed the large truck pull in.

I saw my brother pull in and was wondering what was going on. I didn’t know you were back, he said, as he kissed her cheek.

She slowly backed away. Um, yeah, I’ve rented this townhouse for now.

Oh, I didn’t realize, Mark said. Are you busy? Maybe we could talk.

Um, my furniture is being delivered and I have to go to my house and get my things. Oh, I still have to get my car here, too.

Oh, well, Mike said. "Mark, why don’t you