pped from her sweatpants, pooling on the imported Italian marbl

oak door s

silk evening gown, emerald green. Her hair w

r hand flying to her mouth. "

no hug. No tears of joy. Just shock th

ther," Cla

ng a soft, white cashmere cardigan that looked like

. She rushed forward, arms

ged for

a smooth, practiced moveme

. "You'll get your cashmere

ooked past her to Ambrose, who was walking u

" Kaleigh whispered

d to Kaleigh's side, placing a hand o

chest, sharper than her bruised

ervously, glancing at the drive

ier overhead was blinding. The light reflected

g for Clarisa's plastic bag. "L

ag away, clutching i

rcase banister holding a tumbler of whiskey,

hung in the a

said quietly. "It's the

eyes. "Dramatic.

thing her dress. "Watch your

r mother. "And what am I? The stra

oked away, unable t

said softly, leaning into Ambrose. "I

y photos. Now, they were different. There were photos of Kaleigh gradu

was gone

" Clarisa said. "I do

ring off, leaving only the pain in her ankle a

he sharp pain grounded her. Do not fai

maid. "Take Clarisa to her

ose. She didn't look at her family. She walked with a limp, dra