s, and a driveway long enough to land a plane on. Seraphina stepped out of the Uber at the gat

oor-length, long-sleeved, and loose arou

impeccable in a tuxedo, but his eyes were darti

going to a funeral, he

e didn't stop walking. I

ide her. He reached for her arm to gui

ch me, sh

the window, he muttered throu

felt like cracking plaster. She let him link hi

ze of a small car hung over the table. Grandmother Ster

he said. You

ther, Grandmother, Seraph

tantly to Seraphina's stomach. A

She reached for her water glass. N

are up twelve percent, Grandmother. The t

hina pushed the food around her plate. The

an's phone, which was sitting

humbnail was large. It showed Harper, looking devastated, holding a

lipped the phone over. The l

raised an eyebrow.

at, Julian said.

achment. The video was clearly staged. Who films themsel

na into his father's old study. He

He sounded relieved. He walked t

t, he said. To thank you. The vill

dn't look at

she said. I

and pulled out a single sheet of

have already signed it. I am taking noth

Are you crazy? Without me, you have nothing. You a

n the eye. Without you

gue, but his phone began to r

e screen. His f

he said. He answ

passed out! She's coughing up b

an's face. Pure, unadultera

ing! he

his car keys. He ran for the door. He didn't even

er his shoulder. We wi

mmed t

t the waiver. She picked it up and placed it squarely in

d past the confused staff. She walked

alled

he checked her pho

ng. 9 AM. Don'

typed back

d her mouth with a tissue. She looked at the red

corner, trembling. If

eyes were sharp and clear.

er said, no one will look clo