d whipping strands of hair across her face. A wave of dizziness washed over he

rb. The back door opened. It was Stan Kowalski, the

o give you a ride, miss,"

elt like lead and her mind was a fog of despair. Defeated, she slid in

his eyes meeting hers

ash in her mouth. Going back there was admitting defeat, wal

hloe stared out the window, watching the grand houses blur p

ulated side street lined with overgrown t

nfusion and fear tightening i

r. Instead, he

he dim interior of the car, fo

ancing in her vision were as disorienting as the sudden, vicious at

tone chillingly casual. "She wanted pro

sn't just breaking the engagement; she was systematically destroying C

her. She lunged forward, trying to snatc

her back into the seat with surprising strength.

of the familiar, slightly worn facade of the Miller house. Stan got out,

She watched the black sedan speed away, leaving her in a cloud of exhaust fumes. The co

ragged her suitcase up the wa

d sharp, took in Chloe's disheveled appearance and the suit

Vivian sneered. "Did the Sterlings finally

ted to fight. "I just

hat tone with me,

eper, hurried into the foyer. Her kind, wrinkled face

r shown her genuine affection, a quiet, steady presen

you," Eleanor said, re

n's voice was sharp as glass. "She can ca

ll the co

in a silk robe. She feigned a look of surprise, her eyes wide with mock inn

the previous night. Heather, smiling, handing her a bottle of water at the bachelorette party. "

s mind. She stared at her cousin, searching for any sign of g

ne, you won't be needing your old room," Vivian announce

ge room!" Eleanor protested, her

elf, Eleanor, unless you'd like to find a

the only person who cared about her suffer. "It's fine,

eeling immense. As she began the long climb up

er voice a venomous purr that only Chl

ere laced w

ening into near certainty. Heather's eyes gleamed w

just turned and cont

ture covered in white sheets, like ghosts of a happier pas

den door behind her. The

on the cold, dusty floor. The tears she had held back for so long finally came, silent and hot, carving tr