n't go home. I took a taxi stra

room filled with leather-bound books and

e steady. "I want to break o

on one of pure shock. "Elyse? What is this al

lied. "It's not about him. My mother is getting out of prison soon.

ould think of that he woul

he said finally. "If this is what you truly want, I won't stand in your way. I'll have

hispered, relief

dy door swung open

rway, his keys dangling from his

lyse. I thought we could

uickly answered, "We were just talking ab

He was completely unaware that

," he announced, putting an arm around

foods on my plate. Each gesture was a painful reminder of a love I now knew was a lie. I used to think the

his father. "The venue for the wedding has been

k clattering ag

urrowed. "Drake, that might be a problem. Elyse

ew thick w

s phone rang, shatter

the screen.

her weak, tearful voice. She had a feve

Where are you? I'm coming right now,"

good mood gone. "Why did you want to cancel the wedd

his head. "Never mind. We'll t

the legs of his chair scraping lou

iar ache settling in my chest. He didn

to Mr. Miles, I left the mansion

mbered. Her hair had more grey, and her eyes, wh

spy through the visitor's phone. "How ar

esh bruises on my arm. "They're very good to me, Mom,

le on her face. "I'm so sorry I won't b

t huge. "Actually, Mom...

faded. "

my voice thick with unshed tears. "We'll go some

deep, heart-wrenching pain. She knew, wit

r rolling down her cheek. "Whateve

shared. It felt cold and empty, a m

. I took only what was truly mine. The clothes, the jewelry,

t come home

ome until late th