l chandeliers dangled from the ceiling, scattering light like tiny stars. Amy darted through the parlor,

her manicured nails. She sipped her wine slowly, eyes follow

confident. It rattled

said sharply, setting her glass down. She stood and glid

lowed her inside. Her eyes darted past Peige, scanning the room. "Wher

the cat dragged in." She gave a slow, f

my siblings home,"

d. "Do you mean the street corner or the shelter?

ning with restrained anger. "Yes. Home. Where family lives

aced by an icy glare. "Stay right there. I'll

ered under her breath, crossing her arms

blings rushed into her arms at once. Dawn

eed you? Did she-" her w

ried in Dawn's shoulder. "O

s burned behind her eyes. "Let's go ho

fused looks. "We have n

faintly. "

*

her shawl. She'd spent the whole day thinking about how to tell Adam about Da

d decide, the f

" she

usted, shoulders slu

d?" she whispered,

he said, voice sh

hand and shattered. Her world froze.

e somewhere inside herself." His words fell a

grief too heavy for words. Daphne sank into a chair, her eyes wet with rel

*

eginning. The kids froze in the doorway. The place glowed, all white

. "Are we

"We're home, baby. But if you wan

"How-how did yo

le tight. "Let's just

t press. "This is crazy.

me one thing-no fights, okay? I've ha

lex. Yeah, I'll be there tomorro

that?" Le

d," Dawn said

"Mind your busi

m a glare. "Yo

forcing a smile. "Now, how about we go sho

hange!" She ran off, her tiny

chest. She was giving them comfort built on

slie said, breaking

inked.

son's slac

Dawn said absentmindedly.

se. "I'm heading out. Don't open the

" Leslie asked. "You still

it. And you'll get a ph

ike-forever!"

out, her laughter fading a

*

quiet elegance. When Daphne opened the door, she

she kept her posture fir

ob yet," Daphne teased. "And you

inked.

house, dear. You've f

rd she nearly crie

ne said with a wink. "Now

ne, tha

ed with two glasses of wine. Dawn accepted hesi

and how life could be so cruelly unpredictable. It felt stra

buzzed. She frowne

ice softened.

pa

"Adam, slow down-I can

he floor. Daphne's face drained of color, her