el as it pulled up to the wrought-iron g

into the freezing air, and completely ignored

eps and pushed open the he

the massive crystal ch

full swing. The air smelled of expensive perfume and roasted duck. Women in haute

wind-chilled trench coat that looked entirely

, the entire hall

as standing near the grand staircase talking

there like an uninvited ghost, the polite

assing tray. Her high heels clicked sharply

a looked so pale. She di

sh, reprimanding whip. "You show up late, dressed like a v

as a stagnant pool of water. She watched her mothe

her head. She d

. "Whose manners are we talking about, Mother?" she asked, her

in Aretha's tone completely

her middle finger sat a mas

nd slapped Aretha h

ll. The music seemed to fade. The guests stopped talking,

to the side. The heavy emerald ring scrape

mmediately welled up,

ed a massive cramp deep in her stomach. It felt lik

rely black for a sec

forced the metallic taste of blood back down her throat and pl

om

m-made white tulle dress, looking like a terrified, i

dy brimming with fake tears. "Mom, please do

uilt. "Ari, it's all my fault. I shouldn't have expecte

spering. The looks they shot Are

sweetheart, don't cry. You did nothing wrong," Meredith cooe

She wiped the blood from the corner of her

redith. Then she

to live made this entire soap opera lo

tarted t

uch self-mockery and absolute contempt that it made

Meredith demanded,

Her eyes locked onto Mere

ting every single word, "I will never ask y

ee the shock registe

walking straight toward the grand spiral

ng back. A flash of vicious cal

e pack for her," she whispered sweetly, before quie

, deliberate footstep

care. She k

end of the hall to grab the last of her personal