ed through my dress. I didn't cry

y mind dri

e change in him was sudden, l

doctor was worried. He called Julian, who was on a "busine

Finally, Julian texted back. I sa

g. Don't call again unle

her life, and her father was

ir "business trips." Adjoining rooms, king-sized beds. I had to listen to the travel agent

loved finger-painting, her small ha

ing at her happy, paint-smeared face with disgu

unlocked. It was Maria, our housek

up. "He is gone with her for the day. Le

thing. Her kindness was a small, flickering ca

bling with a mix of fear and anger. "You an

ew she was right. But leaving wasn'