ex

birthday party had taunted

a sprawling, sterile mansion that had al

etter th

art that still bled for the life I'd lost-n

ooking more like I was attending a f

ed into a carnival, a riot of c

he chocolate fountain, looking

aped in a white dress that looked

the role of the graciou

ess partners, social climbers, and fair-

r eyes on me like

pi

amus

now she was already a

ned. He frowned, clearly annoyed that I had s

trailed behind him like a possessive s

y voice steady despite the trembling

harine and sharp. "And we appreciate all your..

ing me completely, and pulled

ng loud enough for the nearby guests to hea

ed the b

ond ne

exactly the kind of ostentati

d as if he had g

n! It's b

r aside so he could clasp th

lt s

of running feet

tw

h and

bab

d foolishl

lt, their eyes darti

Kaylin

attered as she ran past

ast the lump in my throat. I stepped forward, holding

r that looked terrifyingly unnat

t your presen

ned, the box nearly sl

, pointing an accusing finger at me. "She said you're

seemed t

fell into a suf

ed, looking around at t

voice shrill. "Go away! We hat

ere, watching

't corr

n't de

hand on Eliana's shoulder, sol

Gavin said, his voice ice-cold.

d, my voice rising in disbel

d, her voice trembling with a fear that was

explain, to make them see the woman who

it's me. It's Al

enneth

shed

e hit me with the force of

hove

dge of the shallow stone ste

my ba

ght on the

ed bac

lowing down into a nig

Gavin'

t reachi

lding Eli

he step

ainst the stone wi

ollowed instantly by a sharp

tom, gasping for ai

patio, staring up at t

he top of the steps, like a ki

dn't

n me without a second glance. "Let's go cut

lady!" Kay

walke

me lying i

p, but the world

I fel

s betwee

a

ic

o my leg and brough

oo

, red

ba

stomach, clutchin

connection

n conflicted about, the lif

.. violently, by the children I raised

st string holdi

y future, while inside the house,