and slammed the door. The sound echoed like a

the wall. He was close, too close. She could smell the co

with suppressed rage. "The champagne? The hotel? Was

stung her eyes, but she refused to let them fall. She couldn't tell him about her mother. If he

voice hollow. "And you need an h

disgust. "So it is a transaction. Fine. I prefer it that way. Don't expect me to pl

and," she

e suit she had bought on sale at Macy's. It was ill-fitting and wrinkled. She h

ped out. He was wearing a black suit, sharp and im

idn't look at her. He jus

s were holding hands, giggling, kissing. Adrian stood with his hands in his pockets, checking e

he clerk

ge. The ceremony was shor

n Conway, take

an said. He

Elaina Ca

said. Her vo

the jud

et box. He opened it to reveal a diamond the size of

. For a second, just a second, she felt a spark of e

lid loosely, spinnin

t fit," sh

said, not looking at he

ind a pillar, a photographer i

brushed his cheek against hers, a stiff, awkwa

ke eye contact. He shoved his hands deep into his trouser

p forming in her throat.

a set of keys. "Your lease in Queens has been terminated.

gasped. "But I

t in, nodding at his driver. "I hav

e door. The car sped off, leaving his

ead and a gentle face, opened the door of

e. She looked down at the ring, the diamond cat

hospital. Funds received. Treatmen

t was worth it. The humiliation, the c

building in Queens. "I'll just grab a

e familiar smell of stale curry and dust gree

ed a beat. She

lled out, clothes scattered. Sitting on her wor

is eyes bloodshot and predator

revealing yellowed teeth. "My