mbshell, Chloe had played the role

said, her arm linked through mine as we left t

scale Manhat

ened, the stench of un

usual light citrus scent. Someth

favored – clean lines,

ngs. Gold accents, plush velvet in jewel

ring years of shared histo

rywhere. Chloe and Derek laughing on a beach. Chloe

mach c

Chloe?" I asked, ke

ous health, his emotional instability... he needed a more cheerful

iscovered, were not in

irily. "Just to make more space for Derek's things

stood p

being

His clothes, expensive and flashy, filled the clos

ere stuffed into a cheap suitcase in the corner of the l

"Derek needed the master suite for

as trending on every news sit

ed this out, admitt

th feigned sincerity. "To protect Derek from

ding slowly. "You di

d, believing my fe

sed to be our guest room, and Derek sno

call to O

w would chan

nto the phone, "it's Etha

ol and steady. "I've been e