onto the smooth asphalt of Redwood City's wealthiest district. She braked at

ora

lickered across his face as he took in her cheap, da

a piece of scrap metal washed up on a white-sand beach. She stepped out, heavy combat boots hitt

assive crystal chandelier made her squint. The head butle

hose boots. You are trackin

sank into the expensive fabric, leaving a tr

nto the main

sipping black tea from a porcelain cup. She heard the heavy footsteps and looked up. Her eyes rake

onto the saucer. The clat

esigner dress that fit her like a second skin. She didn't reach for a handkerchief. Inst

ft but pitched to carry. "It reminds me of that wet earth smell from th

oorway. "Aurora, was life in the trailer pa

stood tall, looking down at the two of them, a cold

o manners. No breeding. You are an ab

. "A family that threw me out ten years

up from the sofa, her finger jabbing at

ith wide, innocent eyes, throwing fuel on the fire. "Grandma, please calm down. Sister probab

lethal. She took on

her brain could catch up, her lower back slamming hard against the sharp edge of the glass coff

"You savage! This is not your filthy slum! Yo

e cut straight to the point.

ailure? He's living in the rundown guest house

ed. Cold anger twis

back. "Since you are back, Aurora, there is a ver

ng her skirt. "You will fulfil

one of the reasons she'd returned. But her face st

Eleanor stated. "This marriage is the only val

the suffocating smell of old money and r

She simply turned her back.

ay. Stella watched the muddy footprints on the rug, a