station. The sky had long since turned dark, and the stre

eached for her phone. Several missed

ered his calls, he ha

signal was blocked, so I wasn't able t

tonight. I'll be back late. I promis

okay? Don't w

ages seemed thoughtful and reassuring, but she fel

rn home until the m

across the floor. He reeked of alcohol. The sharp smell clung to him as he st

of perfume tha

e bed. He pulled back the covers to hol

owly. She waited until his body went slack and his breathing became steady before she sa

earched. Messages, call logs, social apps. However

partners, and familiar friends. And there, among

only pinn

was impossi

looked perfect on the surface, polis

in thick frosting. It looked smooth and sweet. But the deeper one

she wanted neither the

n was in the kitchen making breakfast, wearing an apron like a devoted husband. His

s back, her gaze st

the result of a business conflict that involved the Davies, Bryson had insisted on cooking for her

clumsy with knives and pans, and burning simple dishes. He then spent hours in the kit

ach day, all so his wife could eat meals that were clean and safe. In l

ved by his gestures. Now, she only watched, and t

ent, Bryson'

. However, the look of unease that crossed Bryson's face as he stepped out of the kitchen to get his ph

y. She went to get water as if sh

kfast Bryson had prepared was alre

rabbed his suit jacket from the coat rack and said, "Something came

him and replied e

wrong with concern in her eyes. But Bryson seemed too preoccupied to notice. Hi

t. The plates were still warm, the meal carefully prepared, but she didn't have any appetite at all. Sh

clear voice. "I'll participate in the re

misheard, they began explaining the details of the project. They talked about timelines, expectations, and the scope of the work. After a while, the voice on the other end softene

ghtened around the phone,

e Bryson again and again that she had managed to keep living in peace. Now, every time s

once guided her with patience and belief. They were returning to the cou

he project, Helena had one

y, choosing plain clothes and a simple coat. The

esolve. She was there to bid on

rts. It had felt like being stripped twice: first, of the people she loved, then, of everything they had left behind. Over the years, she had worked hard. She bui

of the lots was an emerald sculpture her father

gemstone. It was rare and meticulously crafted, t

. For a moment, she closed her eyes and drew in a slow breath. When she opened them again, the resolve in them was firm

ugh to the stage. Then, she picked up the auctio

amiliar voice cam