ind

evator was heavy, thi

he lavender painting she didn't even like,

ad, a muscle in his jaw jum

eled myself out first, desperat

e tonight," Coleto

yourself," I repl

ey

g my path to the hallway. "Don't talk to him like

ly," I said

wn until her perfume clogged my se

nken living room. She looked at Coleton, who was taking off his j

she wh

hrew hersel

e carpeted steps with a thud that wouldn't even br

ly wailed, clutching her spine. "C

n spun

ground. He saw me sit

at happened. He didn't ch

the room in

d it backward, spinning me away from her with su

ared, his face

gainst the wall. "You touch her again, Armin

aid, my voice trembling.

her voice a practiced tremolo. "She's

me with disgust.

bridal style toward the master bedroom-his bedroom. The sa

d against the wall

room, Cole," Charly whimp

his voice carrying through the open door. "You're mo

ested on his shoulder. She l

losed the door and locked it, though a lock

I woke up to the

y's clothes, Charly's shoes, Charly's gaudy art.

land, drinking espresso. He looked at

" he stated, as if discussing th

ed a fin

dare touch her," he warned. "You stay in your room

at the space that had been my home, now

ttle over me. The hope was gone. The anger was gone. There was only nothing.

back to

" he asked, irritated

d softly. "Prope

ed. I didn't cry. I was done crying. I was a ghost in this h