w long I was in

cept, marked only by the cycl

liver of gray morning light that sliced i

the doorway, looking down a

to reflect," he said, hi

ldn't

cracked, my

m from the floor wh

," he c

ou will be there. You will smile, and you will act as if nothi

ds were

of "forgiveness" that was reall

testament to his power to break

, I pulled myself to my feet, u

t of the mirror, a stranger i

Ethan, a pathetic attemp

me, and the diamonds around

nted mask that no amoun

orchestra and the chatter o

"make up" for my suffering, but I f

door, perfectly tail

arm, looking radiant

mirror, a triumphant sm

e," she said, the condesc

so worried

aid, holding ou

ke an appearan

e cameras and accept condolences for the "tragic ac

n their perfec

carlett approached me b

g a small, vel

u," she said, her voice

ce off

from her, but refusin

e box and

bed of satin, was my

ly thing I ha

ked jewelry box in my

od ran

d she

rlett said, as if

want to wear it. A

react, she took

ers fumbled with the clasp, and t

marble floor with

smiling photos of my parents, a stream

seemed

broken it, she

my most precious memories

ation of the deepest and

d, covering her mouth with her ha

clumsy. I'm

't hea

ous to the guests, the music,

ken locket and the dirt s

her's

from my mot

me with the force

he pieces, my h

es of the silv

lms and fingers, but I

metal together, as if I could somehow put my memor

e cuts, mixing with the

e tableau of my u