Care

d past one person, then another, before slowing t

agile, wavering smile. "Oh, I... I don' t think I have anything interes

at' s the matter, sweetie? Can' t play the game

ake excuses for her. But I was faster. I reached across the table, my hand findin

igned solely for Keely's benefit. "I'm starving. Could you be a dear and order us some more

and Keely, before he slowly stood up. "Sure, Holly. Whatever you w

y. "I can play," she bit out, her voice no longer fragile, but sharp with a vengeful edge. "I can definit

een. The projector screen, still connected, mirrored her act

oom g

a text exchange between "

ee you tonight, gorgeous. Ho

d! Miss you so much,

Anyway, she thinks I'm at a business dinn

ling. "Oh my God... it says, 'She thinks I'm at a business dinner.' And th

horrified silence of the room. The air grew thick with unspoken accusations. I slowly lowere

fter all, are you, little homewrecker?" I said, my vo

c. He rushed back to the table. "Don't talk to her like that! Be polite!" H

ked at you, Holly! You're just a convenience for his family! A silly little girl with a crush he had to appease!" She pointed a trembling f

just a few weeks after that fateful conversation on my birthday. Another photo: Javen placing a delicate necklace around her

s on a solo business trip. He had called me e

ger. "He said he would only buy rings for the woman he truly loved! Did he ever

women for generations, a symbol of their dynasty. I had thought it was a romantic gesture, a sign of being welcomed into his family. No

the same night I had nursed Javen through a "terrible fever," staying up to give him medicine and cool

n the background, partly obscured, was my own reflection, my smiling face from three years ago. It was the cake from my twenty-seventh birthday pa

f rage. She gripped my leg so hard I winced, but I didn't stop her. "That

lesh to hold her back. I took a deep breath, letting the

the stunned silence. "I choose April 15th, three years ago." My e