or dinged

t moved from the sofa. She was still in her damp funeral dress, though it had dri

illiard's footsteps. He was mo

on, blindingly bright. Caili

was slung over one arm. He looked exhausted, his hair slightly mus

, his voice rough

id. Her voice

er. "The meeting... it was a nightmare. The mer

," she

more, a movement behi

stepped out o

elt like a slap in the face on a day of mourning. She looked

as a soft, trembling mew

rom defensive to protective. He dropped his jacket

und the small of her back. The way Charla leaned i

lin asked. She didn't stand u

"She had a panic attack at the gala. Hyperventilated. She co

lin said. "To our home. On the

illiard snapped. "Don't start t

e smell

he room. It was heavy, floral-gardenias and musk. It was cloying. It

irts for months. The scent she had told herself was

ng at her with wide, watery eyes. "It's my f

f her shoulder. "I... I think I left my shawl in the

ped to Hilliard's

the collar

act shade of lipstick Cha

e in Cailin's head-the grief, the th

It was a fact, printed in red w

Her legs felt sur

ase on the floor. She walked pa

d. He looked down at her, expe

she asked. Her voice was so qui

ilin, look, I know I missed the servi

ou buried your ma

look at Charla. She didn't acknow

as firm, familiar. "We need to talk. You're being un

s hand on her arm. Then

hissed. The venom in her voice startled

She went inside and locked the door. The click o

the door once. "Open this doo

dn't a

him sigh. "Fine. Pout. I

ted from the living room. "

rd said. His foo

il she hit the floor. She pulled her knees up, wrapp

ched he

she whispered. "He doesn'

e weeks ago, back when the suspicion had first started to rot her gut. Inside wa

er hands were shaking, but

clinic in New Jersey, one that specialized in d

ical," a voi

id. "Tomorrow morning. Under the n

n opening

take

e didn't want anything he had bought her. Just

he low murmur of voices. Then, a

her's funeral. With his

needed. It burned away the fear

e were the divorce papers she had drafted herself, findi

capped

ears were for peo

ilin Morton. Not Hollow

he papers

bag to her chest. She wouldn't sleep. She would just w