ast to the burning sensation that still throbbed beneath the bandages on her neck. Sarah sat op

too exhausted to feel. "The apartment was on fire, Evelyn. On fire. An

ff," Evelyn said, her voice flat. She wasn't defending him

onto her glass desk. "He knew when the EMT left that voicemail. I

er phone on the ta

he paper

oment of stunned silence. "You mean it?

t the burns on her leg, but she ignored it. "I don't want spousal support.

you're en

ed her phone and slid it across the desk,

She let out a low whistle. "Okay. So the 'poor,

d I'm done being the bird. Also... I need a doctor. A

call Dr. Evans. He does concierge visits. He can meet you

esk buzzed. A picture of Jul

e twisting, but Evelyn held u

pped the

ely

r stomach flutter. Now, it just made her stomach

e," Evel

tells me the penthouse is a mess. Are

ou handling the insurance? Not Ar

the apartm

the cleanup. I can't deal with thi

yn asked, though she

ly. "I'm heading to the Pierre. I can't come home with the paparaz

ound, a voice Evelyn knew be

water pressure is awful. C

looked like she was about to vomit. He wasn't ju

tly. There was a muffled sound, a

the damage. Don't be dramatic about the fire, Evelyn. It was just a kitchen accident,

the corner of her mouth.

"Yes. I suppose I was careles

our jealousy. Serena had a panic attack. She needed a friend. I

yn said. "And tell Serena to try t

hung

th her mouth open. "You... you

d

od up, pacing the room. "I'm going to kill him. I'm g

anchor that had been dragging her down for three years had just been cut.

t to wri

and spit her out. "I've been writing everyone else's stories for years. Hiding behind the na

t, Sarah. Book me auditions. Under Ev

Sarah gestured vagu

's character. Cover it with makeup or let it

er with an appointment card for Dr.

s Dr. Evans had called in. Above the counter, a TV was replaying the footage. Julian

ighed, popping her gum. "Wish my

glasses. "Trust me," sh

lobby, faint but persistent. The elevator ride to the penthouse took fo

he kitchen and the living room, where the walls were bla

bedroom. She pulled her suitcase

ogies for missed anniversaries. She packed her jeans. Her old sweaters. Her laptop. And the hard d

e bag shut when she h

ine st

s. Heavy

the suit from the TV footage, but his tie was loosene

. His brows knitted together, confu

mewhere?"

nderneath it, distinct and sweet... gardenias. Serena's perfume. And beneath

stomach

" she

leather shoe. "Put it away, Evelyn. You're overreacting. Harrison a

om, loosening his cufflinks. "God, I

s back. The audacit

yourself,