and fall of his chest, the rhythmic blip of the heart monitor a fragile reass

us, endless loop. He destroyed my sister. It couldn't be true. Her fathe

institution, had crumbled almost overnight. The key investors pulling out, the sudden regulatory

truth. She had to

e white blouse and jeans from the day before, now wrinkled and smelling faintly of antise

me and went. T

ent straight to voicemail.

ement. Businessmen rushed past, tourists posed for photos, pigeons pecked at d

s agreement had been nothing more than a final, cruel twist of the kni

doubled over, pressing her hand against the ache. The pain, the humiliation, the crushing w

t break. She ha

ending out a spray of brilliant, mocking sparks. The "Eternal Heart," Clayton had called it wh

felt strange, her hand suddenly light and bare. She walked

plush carpets. The saleswoman, a polished blonde named Jenny Price, gave Corrie's

y I hel

velvet tray, Jenny's eyes widened in recogniti

nstantly shifting to one of fawning r

her voice steady. "

stopped what they were doing, their ears p

ting, sickly-sweet voice cut through the quiet. "Wel

arm linked with an older, impeccably dressed woman. Bianca was gl

nding on the ring. She brought a perfectly manic

ing your wedding ring? Does Clayton k

es like physical blows. She was a spectacle. The fallen wife

ca. "This has noth

nounced, her voice loud enough for everyone to hear. "Name your price. Consider it a favor

mily" as if she were

lplessly from B

r sides. She would rather throw the ring

through gritted teeth, reaching f

hisper, laced with condescending pity. "Don't be proud, Corrie. I know you need th

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