dry estate. Ellery paid the driver and stared at the hous

. Get her own things. Get Lily's th

he long drive, their gazes mixed with pity, contempt, an

s clicking out a lonely, defi

d at the top of the sweeping staircase. He was dressed in a flawle

was soft, but with steel-like co

e in the living room. It wasn't hers. It was Darla Evans's. So the whispers

eir daughter was barely cold, and he

ion. "I'm here for my thing

cended the stairs and blocked her path. "Ellery,

hed it away. It was the first time she

Don't forget, Lily is still waiting for a bone marrow match. Her surge

hreat would work

her head and looked straight into his eyes for the first time. The hazel gaze

ke a shard of ice, "you don't

hless by the unfamilia

back ramrod straight, like a

ng into his heart. The strings he had hel

nwilling to let the situati

had lived in for five years now reeked of Da

nt straight to the walk-in closet, pulli

a few simple clothes. The designer gowns Jace

e with this little scene?" His tone had returned to that cond

ept her personal jewelry f

Jace had forbidden her to enter, claiming it

"What do you think you're doing? The doctor s

a sharp, painful irony twisted inside her. Li

st looked at him, her voice cold. "Lily's fa

s, sentimental object. Maybe it could even be

ily had left it. She picked up the teddy bear from the bed, its

and forced the tears back.

e bear gently in the suit

ience. He strode forward and grabbed her wrist

ting up her arm. But this time, s

ld smile slowly crept across her lips.