a sleek, modern building

rom society pages, announced h

sweet, came through the intercom. "Ava,

d. Maya squeezed he

vator in silence,

f, dressed in a silk robe, a

ver, held a gl

we this pleasure?" she asked, her

a small gathering – empty glasses, a few

Chloe?" Ava asked, he

our guitar? I have no idea

o me. I know

ar? I' m not even musically inclined." She glanced towards her bedroom. "Ethan just

wed. "He' s still

an' s presence. He was

u?" She coughed delicately. "I' m not feeling very well, actually. Perhaps you should go." She was tryi

h Chloe' s manipula

stepping further into the apartment. "And I know

t just barge in here and accuse me! I' ll

r she' d felt before was morphing into a whit

towards the bedroom. Maya follo

them, but didn' t try t

open the be

, decorated in shade

a corner, was her mo

, quickly followed by

hed tow

closer, s

marred the polished w

ch. A gouge. Del

ike spilled nail polish

r mother' s le

cry escaped

d saw Chloe standing in the door

voice light. "Did I do

nt enjoyment in Chloe' s eyes

ion, of feeling invisible, o

could react,

nt of her silk robe, her fin

eamed, her voice raw

t the wall. Chloe cried out,

wild, satisfying moment, she im

arm. "Ava, no! Sh

quickly, pushed

ade crumbling to reveal the viper beneath. "It was an accide

this on purpose! You' ve always been jealous! You can' t

arted nervously towards the main room. "I' m ca

the hallway, which Ava hadn't noti

stood

was a thu

ed guitar. He didn' t look a

immediately burst into tears, clutc

loe sobbed, rushing to him. "Ava...

ound Chloe, pulling her

, his eyes fille

oing, Ava?" he demanded, his voice li

!" Ava cried, pointing to the dama

was an accident. It' s a guitar, Ava. An ob

y mother' s! It' s all I have left of her! And she did it d

s impassioned face to

ould never... She' s making it up, Ethan.

"Chloe is fragile. She wouldn' t intentionally hurt you or your things.

ldn' t even consider her side. He wouldn' t

" Ava asked, her voice h

"She' s too sensitive. This whole situation has clearly upset her terribly." He stroked Chloe' s

hloe would be protected. So

would be painted as

ice of it

ing Chloe. A

wood and string, lay damaged in the corner, a testa

tterly, devas