nt, completely thrown o

cold, Kevan asked, "Shoul

d right away. "There

gle cent. She only brought it up to

n. "I really misjudged you, Ashley. What made you beli

a life filled with everyt

face. "I was messing around. I don't have time to schem

n's features, darkenin

osing the red mark Ashley left on her cheek. "Kevan, d

sharp glint cut through Kevan's eyes as he turned on As

that her breath hitched, leavi

and her own husband chose to shield a

lly was u

. After everything you two have put me through, this doesn'

nto a chilling line. "

The memory alone was enough to turn her stomach. "Forget it. You s

ngs so quickly, as if she could hardly wait to be done with him. Rage surged throu

ped from Ashley before s

her the invitation. She thought she could use the event to search for work, ye

nd held it out, expecting familiar hands to take it. No one came. The emptiness sta

a weight settled heavily in his chest, as tho

almost every night, sitting exactly

tness in his ribs, he called out, "J

the steaming bowl on the dining tab

pushing it aside, the flavor striking him as disa

nce you were always occupied with business, but she spent hours on your chicken soup. She cleaned everything piece by piece and watched the pot t

s he shifted the subject. "Jane

no idea. Ashley had always taken care of his

a reply, Kevan orde