e Spar

ugly malice beneath. She stared at me, her chest heaving, her eyes two burning coals. "You think you'

urprise, and shoved me with all her might. I stumbled backward, the rail

, shot out and grabbed her wrist. We both screamed, a

her voice frantic, tears streaming down her

He saw us, both hanging, one above the other, his eyes wi

t let her kill me!" Isabelle wailed, h

s, for a fleeting moment, landed on me. I saw the

ed for I

is voice strained. "Just hold on! I'll

gh bubbled up from my throat. It was the same lie he always told, the sa

deliberate mo

cool, welcoming water of the swimming pool below, the impact knockin

lean bandage on my arm from where I'd scraped it against

brated. A t

attack. I had to stay with her. I'll make it up

I want. He still thought he could buy my forgiveness, buy my love. He still thoug

Holden, I thought, closing my

xt popped up. This one fro

ized. Please come to collec

of unspoken pain and silent sacrifice f

port, my work documents, a few cherished books. I boo

. Jackson. Her eyes widened, but she didn't question me. S

ation. I looked at the picture on it, two strangers, smiling stiffly. I barely

lden. I looked at the screen, the

as no sadness, no regret. Only a profound, exhilarating sense of peace. My future stretched before me, bright and unburdened