rine'

t me in

flight. I had not braced myself for my own

. No hug. No are-you-okay. "Isabel

down slowly

e cabin of people." Elena's voice climbed. "Do you have any id

alfway out. "Six years. Marco. He was seeing Isa

ait

e. I wanted her to be

he mess. Like I'd tracked

an to feel something he doesn't. Frankly, Catherine, if he chose Isabella, maybe you should ask yourself why

from under me for th

tared at her. "He was my bo

robe cinched, expression already set against me

Catherine, I'm not going to have

ter stole m

scended slowly, buttoning the cuff of his shirt, calm as anything. "She says the two of them fell f

nable to believe it. "Dad, I'v

Isabella is younger than you. She's more delicate. You've always been the stro

ild. Because everything I had, I owed. Because whatever was mine became Isabella'

alwa

e very quiet, and very steady. "You want

nds. "Ambitious. Generous. He's been very good to

stments" Marco had made in my father's little venture

iend. I understood now that he'd been buyin

side. They'd picked it befor

forget it was a favor. My mother, who'd raised me to be useful. My sister, who'd been taught from birt

t?" I said. "

own. "I-yes. Good.

Isabella. Truly. I hope they're very, very happy. I hope they lock it down and never look back." I p

ke. It wasn't the reacti

ine, this is for the best. You're twenty-seven, you can't just float along. Now tha

t to be ki

y. And it's time you thought about your future, about doing

aughed, and it wasn't a nice sound. "Right

heri

ue, and a cold, clear plan had already begun

ne wen

peaking another language. Antonio's brows drew to

Anger. Maybe another figh

xpected me to

someone was simple.

swer a few questions, and let my family belie

t, however, might not g

rrying a man of my own choosing to get away from this

ous?" Elena a

p my bag a

anted me to meet

that night, nobod

lly found another way to p

were

would listen. I would play al

r I sat down at that table

e being h

person moving me acr