ng you, Mr. Thorne," L

u? You disappeared. No calls, no

as probing

ou anymore," Li

ion had curdled into something

n Marcus's jaw. Irr

ridiculous

holding. A corner of a sket

e accused, his voice hardening. "Tryin

as a lovesick girl pla

e that she might ge

ance was

ying games,

was a tight band

nuine. And now, they

out a handful of old letters sh

sh confession

in quarters, and let the p

? Go

, his expression u

this was just a mo

ed. "You're be

or wouldn't,

passed.

hing more t

's reluctant updates, remained convi

, to come running back,

as w

by her father's side of the

t of her father. Izzy wa

hought, the "trou

, was treated

unofficia

d a family heirloom, a delicate s

oin our family, dear. It b

to Liv for a fraction of a se

hing but a d

ion inevitably turne

py day?" another rel

ced smile. "We're thinking spring

d on his shoulder.

as solidifying, b

erself, claim

he city apartment to move upstate more permanently, Marcus's mother,

voice sharp. "I think it's t

wa

ds a woman of substance, of sophi

st crush was clear. It had

alone. You will leav

re harsh, a

sting of pain, an

Mrs. Thorne," L

And then, I'm plann

en accepted to a photograph

eaching into her purse,

stable young man her father had discreetly introduced her to months ago, someone she'd initially dis

ghtly, then narrowed in suspicion

over Eleanor's face. "We

s there. He'd enter

is face was a

e said, his

livia, if you need anything... anything at all... for your new

Her eyes, fixed on Marcus, were wide wi

this another game? Or a