rst thing that hit her senses was the deep, c

ng in a small, narrow twin bed, covere

on the nightstand. The wallpaper was slightly

ges let out

mother, walked in car

opped dead in her tracks. Her eyes instantly

nd rushed to the side of the bed. She reached out with

sed out in the freezing rain. She didn'

ce thick with emotion, and whisper

attered the emotional fortress Areth

ipped her throat.

aked into the cotton pillowcase. It was the first real tear

istair walked into the room, looking awkward and massive in

tha's hands, his broad shoulders b

s voice thick and protective. "As long as I'm breathi

ditions, without caring about her bank account or her

tray and carefully fed it to Aretha. The warm broth c

tle in her bones, a sharp, pier

hich was plugged into a c

red. Her gut told he

ulled Alistair by the sleeve, giving Aretha

inst the headboard and

imedia messag

f Aretha's expensive silk nightgowns. She

ders's chest. Anders's arms weren't wrapped ar

ext: Since my big sister isn't home, I gues

uld have made her physically sick. She would have

t

of them posing like cheap actors. She felt abs

call Anders to scream at him. They weren't wor

etha blocked Kelli's number. She went

lent and tossed it carelessl

uilt. She stared up at the faint water stain on

would spend her final days right here,

ded by the scent of lavender, Aretha closed her eye