Daws

of color against the black velvet of night. My reflec

small talk about the weather. I stared out th

my stomach. An e

state, gliding down the long, tree-lined drive. It stopped befor

ed this place home. Tonig

ped out into the cold wind

lit, cavernous hall. It was silent. Empty. O

he master suite. I went t

gotten folder. Inside was a document I had prepared m

rce ag

. Alaia Dawson. Each letter was

I pa

wooden box containing my mother's locket. My research notes from my

ns, the life of a Montgomery

growling up the drivewa

ather sofa in the grand living room, the signed docum

nt of expensive liquor and a perfu

perfect face. "What are you doing here? Should

ith a familiar, weary disdain. "Alaia, I'm tired of this. Let's

cold eyes. I pushed the fold

my voice steady.

age Dissolution Agreement," then flickered to the last page, to my signature. A flicker o

pers as if they were contaminated. "You think t

nt," I said calml

g over me like I was an item up for auction. "More

The agreement is clear. I waive al

k of arrogance slipped. Con

ocument again. "Since you're so eager, fi

e thought I would come crawl

y suitcase. "Good. Good

d toward the door,

a master whose pet had just disobeyed. "What do you think yo

hold, but didn't turn

," he snarled. "Without the Mo

open. The cold night a

e to myself than to him. "B

pulling the door shut behind me, leaving him standing in

ught it was

a the show wa