estate. Ellery paid the driver and stared at the magnificent

y gate open. She had to get her things-and

long drive, their gazes a mixture of pity, contempt, and

ls clicking a lonely, defian

at the top of the sweeping staircase. He was dressed in a flawless c

oft, but laced with the steel of absolu

oom console. It wasn't hers. It was Darla Evans's. The whispers of the staff she'd

man she had loved. Their daughter was barely cold, and

ion. "I'm here for my thing

on. He descended the stairs, blocking her path. "Ell

hed it away. It was the first time she

Don't forget, Lily is still waiting for a bone marrow match. Her surge

it always had. He thought it would

fted her head, meeting his eyes for the first time. The adoration that once

shard of ice. "You don't hav

amiliar coldness in her eyes tha

back ramrod straight, like a

eeping into his gut. The strings he'd held so tigh

, refusing to let the situati

had lived in for five years now reeked of Da

ent straight to the walk-in closet, pul

only a few simple items. The designer gown

ith this little scene?" he asked, his tone reverting to one of c

ept her personal jewelry f

Jace had forbidden her from entering, claiming it

o you think you're doing? The doctor said

harp, painful irony twisting inside her. Lil

st looked at him, her voice cold. "Lily's fa

ntal object, harmless. It could even be anoth

ly had left it. She picked up the teddy bear from the crib, its f

, forcing the tears back. T

e bear gently in the suit

tience. He strode forward and grabbed her wris

ting up her arm. But this time, s

across her lips. It was a smile he had never seen bef