ensuring every timeline, every threat, every bruise was documented. Her legal training demanded precision, and

oane finally closed her la

ead. "I need a min

her face, then nodded. "C

ed now, the fluorescent lights h

her temples. The day's images cycled through her mind on a brutal loop-Aurelia's hand on her flat stomach, the word

ch step. She paused on the landing, pressing her palm against the cold c

who had never once looked at her the way

k anoth

th

erate, pressing betwee

sh

alance gave way. She tumbled backward, a sickening lurch in the pit of

stairs. A blinding, white-hot explosion of pain s

sharp, pierced t

gged her body across the cold floor, her vision blurring at the edges. Her fingers, shaking

years of marriage, was to call her husband. Despite everythi

al, her thumb pressing down ha

eone? I'm busy." His voice was impatient, stra

roat, thick with pain. "I-I fell. Down the stairs.

him turn away from the phone, his voice dropping to that

self get stressed. It's not good for t

bone. He was with her. He was comforting Aurelia about her phantom pregnancy while hi

in. "Stop being dramatic, Cleone. I'm sure it's just a sprain

hun

ever heard. The finality of it, the absolute, bottomless cruelt

t ripped through her soul. He hadn't just chosen another woman. He had chosen to belie

mixing with the trickle of blood from a cut o

lipping from her limp hand and c