to the top of the stai

ersian rug in the second-floor hallway, her shoulder

against the carpet fibers, trying to put

jacket. He pulled out a thick stack of glossy photograph

uttered to the ground, scattering acr

n. Her breath cau

ed in the sheets with different, faceless men. The

ed, pointing a shaking finger at her. "You f

tectural design, instantly caught the unnatural lighting on the collar

gripped the edges of the photo and

rlos," she spat, throwing the torn pi

ed forward, raising his heavy leat

heels on the hardwood

ed up the steps, followed clos

sted in disgust. "Look at this filth. I always knew you were a

icate hand on Carlos's chest, leaning h

ng with fake sympathy. "She's not worth raising your bl

head. The sudden divorce. The fake photos. The absolute lack of alimony. It

shook, but she locked them. She wiped the blood from her lip with the bac

osie's eyes. She stepped away from Carlos and walked toward

in a voice only Alex could hear, "You're a curse to everyone who comes n

hand and brought it across Josie's face

echoed off th

apsing dramatically into Carlos's arms, clutchin

ged past Josie, his fist pulled back

oting out to grab the heavy bronze vase sitting on the hall

a shard tore Carlos's ankle. Carlos let out a painfu

g her pearls. "Call the po

r with a heavy thud. She looked down at

ily," Alexis said, her v

ered, fake photos, ignoring Carlos's groans. She w

already been swallowed by a sudden, heavy wall of snow clo

ter wind hit her instantly, biti

d herself, shivering. She reached into her pocket, pulled out her phone, her fingers

icon flashed red once, twice, and t

e

he midday gloom. The wind howled around her. She had no money. No phone. No home. Her chest