e wanted to keep, Estella sat in the cab for several minu

frozen cards, the family humiliations, and Alden's

family talks about you like you're a defective stock portfolio? Estella, I sw

a let out a tired laugh

you're stayi

used, and by the end of the call, she had already

her and her boxes still half-unpacked, Estella

e lasted

is face was a thundercloud. He had obv

e up. He call

re's a family emergency.

ergency" were a hook she couldn't completely ignore.

grabbed her wrist and pu

she asked coldly, "W

." His answer was flawless, but Estella knew it was

ed up. Rain began to pour down, hammering against the

er. The conversation was urgent, something abo

ore impatient. He tapped his finge

p turn and pulled the car over n

fixed on the road ahead. His

ef. "What? You're just leaving m

nt than a sentimental visit to an old man," he said, his voice co

n umbrella. He just discarded her, like a piece

Any last question she might hav

n and stepped out into the freezing downp

ccelerated instantly, disappe

bone. Cold rainwater streamed down her hair and i

ll a cab, only to find the scre

creen for a moment, then

k. Not even d

clean, cla

amily emergency, dragged her halfway across the city, and then dumped her

ance of it made

here would never be consequences. For three years, the entire world had

g one of the things e

rance and wiped the rain from he

ould get he

ould reme

und herself and started walking toward