"Ria" Ro

was a flawless diamond, a perfect symbol of the Moretti Family's power-cold, brillia

raw, the skin beneath them bruised with exhaustion. I didn't re

to pull the ring off, but it wouldn't budge

ng into my bones. I twisted the ring, pulling hard, my skin protesting. It slid

d for with my mother's life. My first instinct was to smas

too emotional

on her nightstand, next to a worn copy of her favorite book. It

l, numbing tasks. There was no room for gr

der and vanilla-hit me like a physical blow. It was the smell of

raw, ugly sound that tore through the silence. Then I cla

ngs into three piles

dwritten recipe book, and a soft, faded cashmere sweater that still smelled of her.

s. My mother, Salvatore, Sofia, and me, all smiling for the camera in front of t

Sofia's was predatory. I could see it now. The way her hand rested a little too high on S

lie. Al

g kit. I didn't rip the photo. Ripping was messy, emotional. I cut. I carefull

n pile. I tucked the trimmed photo of ju

picture. It was her, standing alone on the balcony of their Aspen chalet, a

d to feel wasn't there. Instead, a strange calm settled over me. This wasn't a new betrayal. It was

compass needle, pointing

amond ring mocked me from its place beside th

without a second thought. I watched the water swirl, carrying five ye