m of the refrigerator and the far-off whisper of traffic outside the balcony windows. She felt guilty of something. She didn't know what exactly to

some shots with Jay. The momen

ack," he sa

down. "Of course I

ay said with

and at him and co

e talked before you made a show of yourself in a billio

e, Peter. I'm not asking for your blessing. I

u let the world watch yo

I don't belong to anyone. And I certainly don't

is your solution? Embarrass your fam

se please give me a break. Don't be a broke

way, his voice low and bitte

her eyes. "I'm

hoked laugh. "

an't even bear a little if not for h

r baby Des, then came San and Annie, you wanted all these kids even though we couldn't

ap Ben but couldn't so he went to the wall and hit it mult

ed together watching

opened the closet and pulled out her suitcase, tossing in clothes,

fel slung over her shoulder. She pl

t's

It's from the bonus Brian gave me. It's not hush money-it's for the kids.

elope, then at her. "Yo

und Desmond and Anna standing there, pajama-clad, wide-eyed. S

into tears.

"Sweetheart, I'm not leaving you. I'll always be y

didn't cry. Just watched her wit

, brushing their cheeks. "And you c

er came forward and picked her up. Bennie gave her ki

alked

ter, mascara streaked down her cheeks, t

ns. She just pulled her into a long hug. "

ton in Bih's spare room, staring at th

choice. Now she h

and the ghosts of what had been. The kids had finally drifted off after

hick stacks of bills. Her handwriting o

sob

ill hollow and achin

e? It

What's

t it. "Bennie left

t the tiles, her long trench coat billowing behind

cook. I'll stay for a while," she said br

e didn't have s

the backyard raking leaves. Chloe was on a call inside. Desm

en Anna slipped o

her blue sweater and pink shoes, clutching h

amed down

e was heading home, earbuds in, backpack slung over her sho

nn

ged toward her. "Sweetheart, what are

pened her mouth but

ld's tears with a soft handkerchief she

of people, baby,

er's number. He had put his numbers on al

hen stayed with Anna until he a

her. "Anna!

rms. "Never do that again

ns. "She's safe now. I found h

looked at h

away, alre

him with her face twisted. " W

art pinching. Then turn

Bih's kitchen when her phone rang.

hesi

ked up.

d, frayed. "Anna w

ught. "What?!

ound her. She wandered

he sat at the kitchen table. H

t you sho

ilence s

ce low: "She misse

s them

ou can come by this weekend. See t

s burned. "O

ting on the rooftop garden, blan

okay,

ed slowly.

ow, that

y?" But Anna just gave a slide side eye and went unconscious. He called Peter and he rushed with Anna to the hospital in his arms. She was given an IV

tic Stress Disorder which made her unable to speak again. He recommended t

better and Bennie said she was on her way. That was when Chloe rushed to the hospital. Thompson air

eir way to the

oarding pass with Bennie and as tears ran down his cheeks, he ran for