y bed at the C

d through the wi

side me, hol

red, lines of stra

ftly. "You're awake

in his eyes. Or

e of red lipstick on his collar,

elt hollow, a

so sorry, Elara. About e

right, but they

like a stone

ond, his phone buzz

it, his expres

ady standing up. "It's Veronica. She

again. Prior

rmed eve

ead. My marr

staring at

clear, cold, an

vo

him out of my

I was alone, I found

ted wr

ce Agr

led, but my re

me that there would be a small,

" she said, h

heir memorial.

a small, plain woo

ed to dust in

to the far edge of the Caldwe

high, casting

a smal

ned t

down my face,

ispered to the ash

e ashes int

watched the smoke cur

bye. My grief.

Eleanor announced

onica into a more prominent role

support," Eleanor had said, "Veronica will be

to attend. To s

new, expensive dress. She

ch about legacy, ab

onica's d

iliation, designed

lack o

tle, said

felt lik

was counti

onger, as soon as the divorce p

never lo