Corinne Vien

So Jake wasn't the only one wondering why Ellen was with him. But the full picture started to unfold a bit more as the two continued to see each other.

So Jake wasn't the only one wondering why Ellen was with him. But the full picture started to unfold a bit more as the two continued to see each other.

Hearing this, my own heart dropped a bit. It reminded me of some of those past potential relationships that I thought were progressing, only to find out that, yeah, I was B-list. I was a situation ship, unknowingly cast on my own version of The Bachelor. But this Seattle guy didn't really deter Jake from continuing to pursue Elle or potentially joining her for a leg of the trip.

Hearing this, my own heart dropped a bit. It reminded me of some of those past potential relationships that I thought were progressing, only to find out that, yeah, I was B-list. I was a situation ship, unknowingly cast on my own version of The Bachelor. But this Seattle guy didn't really deter Jake from continuing to pursue Elle or potentially joining her for a leg of the trip.

And Ellen was extremely thoughtful. He felt very seen, very cared for. Jake recalls a time when Ellen decided to surprise him by cleaning his car while he was at work. And Jake left me with some sound advice when setting up this part of the story. Never clean a drug dealer's car if you don't want to be disappointed.

And Ellen was extremely thoughtful. He felt very seen, very cared for. Jake recalls a time when Ellen decided to surprise him by cleaning his car while he was at work. And Jake left me with some sound advice when setting up this part of the story. Never clean a drug dealer's car if you don't want to be disappointed.

The Liberty Hotel, what is now a lavish luxury hotel, used to be the old Charles Street Jail, built in 1848. It was eventually closed in 1990 due to overcrowding, cruel and unusual punishment of the prisoners, and inhumane conditions, but not before housing some notable inmates like Malcolm X and Boston's Whitey Bolger. And now it's operating as a hotel, and it still plays into its history.

The Liberty Hotel, what is now a lavish luxury hotel, used to be the old Charles Street Jail, built in 1848. It was eventually closed in 1990 due to overcrowding, cruel and unusual punishment of the prisoners, and inhumane conditions, but not before housing some notable inmates like Malcolm X and Boston's Whitey Bolger. And now it's operating as a hotel, and it still plays into its history.

So it has the original catwalks encircling the lobby and a bar called The Alibi with celebrity mugshots lining the walls. Oh, and it's haunted. My favorite kind of place. And it also has a really great nightlife scene. So, Jake's favorite kind of place.

So it has the original catwalks encircling the lobby and a bar called The Alibi with celebrity mugshots lining the walls. Oh, and it's haunted. My favorite kind of place. And it also has a really great nightlife scene. So, Jake's favorite kind of place.

As a wedding gift, Jake's Uncle Michael gave them a week's stay at his rental property in Cape Cod. A beautiful Chatham Beach house with its own private beach.

As a wedding gift, Jake's Uncle Michael gave them a week's stay at his rental property in Cape Cod. A beautiful Chatham Beach house with its own private beach.

I didn't know what a hot dose was, and Jake said it's when it's laced with fentanyl.

I didn't know what a hot dose was, and Jake said it's when it's laced with fentanyl.

Jake also expressed his concerns about all the things that could happen to her when seeking out this drug. She could be robbed. She could be propositioned for sex. She could be seriously harmed. Heroin was very dangerous, yes, but obtaining heroin could also be very dangerous.

Jake also expressed his concerns about all the things that could happen to her when seeking out this drug. She could be robbed. She could be propositioned for sex. She could be seriously harmed. Heroin was very dangerous, yes, but obtaining heroin could also be very dangerous.

Drugs are tricky. It's an ugly world, and for many, it involves moments of complete desperation and humiliation. When someone drags you into something like that, it doesn't just leave a mark. It breaks something inside of you. You can feel completely trapped, completely hopeless.

Drugs are tricky. It's an ugly world, and for many, it involves moments of complete desperation and humiliation. When someone drags you into something like that, it doesn't just leave a mark. It breaks something inside of you. You can feel completely trapped, completely hopeless.

And when the perfect situation presents itself, the things you'll do to escape that feeling, well, it can become unimaginable. In that place where morality blurs and fear controls every move, the line between protecting yourself and destroying someone else can vanish. And what then is left of the person you once were? There may not be redemption for the people in this story. No triumphant escape.

And when the perfect situation presents itself, the things you'll do to escape that feeling, well, it can become unimaginable. In that place where morality blurs and fear controls every move, the line between protecting yourself and destroying someone else can vanish. And what then is left of the person you once were? There may not be redemption for the people in this story. No triumphant escape.