re a blur of packing

away in the back of

than never attended with me. I

t for him, its spine uncracked

tanical garden. I'd gone t

emories. They were mon

tion bag. Each item felt like shed

ounded by the discards of

ed... u

ing? Those are..

like mine," I sai

ok, Sarah, about the other da

pology. Me

d, "you can have any design

ment. I just nodded

a glitterin

nning, ridiculously expensive gown

ve at first, f

ade her "surpri

sion in white, looki

s shifted en

at the silent auction, the pric

und her neck, his

side, a forgo

me. "Poor Sarah." "Su

man I vaguely recognized from

fferent. Quieter. You

smiled

emcee raised his

and his lovely partn

f breath. He spotted

, his charming fia

on was awkwa

f, heading for

ly ajar. I saw Isab

, pulled out a padded bra,

out a small, empty glass

she'd clutched her stomach, lookin

saw me. Her

er, no jealousy. Just

" I said, my voice even. "But I'm lea

ng – surprise? uneas

wa

staircase, heading back to the ballroom

ally" bumped

ght. I lost

dizzying spiral of m

ening thud echoin

rcing screa

d at the top of th

ed me! Sara

straught. He saw me, a crumpled heap at the bot

ling finger. "She pushed

't even gl

ry directed solely at Isa

Isabelle, all

at me, his eyes fill

to his arms and storme