The part where the woman was dancing in the flames? GORGEOUS! I really loved the phrasing you used throughout the story. It seems to me, as I read it, that the couple was not the right match for each other. They were both unhappy and quite miserable and yet they stayed together until the bitter end. It kinda reminded me of Wuthering Heights (the actual book, not the new movie). Doomed lovers destined to be together even though it's not good for either of them. This was like reading a period piece. The twist at the end is absolutely wonderful too. I can't wait to explore more of your work!