tal bed. Not the guest

must have decided she needed actual

e in, a kind

the miscarri

s. Miller," the d

f rest could fix the g

ainty, that whatever was bet

ike the

ened. Julia

arm, clinging to him

y her quirky glasses, scan

with false sweetness. "She looks terrible. Are you

look at Ava. He s

er, my dear. She's j

breath. This was the man who once s

e, a raw whisper.

her. His eyes were co

t it. Your own fault. You were

mly. As if discus

not include a child

. Her body, her choices, her

atically, pulling

ace is depressing. And she'

artist" persona wa

e was just a mean gi

ention back to Chloe,

love." He glanc

to Chloe,"

him. "Apolog

king her feel uncomfortabl

ake me ask again, Ava. You know

e threat was clear. He wou

wave of despai

trapped.

guards, always lurking nea

anked h

s implacable face, the

hispered, the words l

She felt a small, s

fist so hard her nail

act of defiance o

. He turned to Chloe. "S

at shattered the last pie

"I've been thinking. This situation

at Ava, his eyes de

raw up the papers. Then, Chloe, we can be

punched in the gut. Divor

broke

umphant little smile

r of pure malice in her eyes

sotted, sa

arp suit entered. Julian' s p

ied a b

on said, nodding. He

Henderson,"

briefcase and produce

m on Ava' s b

e is prepared to be very generous. A substantial settlement. He also wishes to assure you that... in time... perh

on. Keep her hoping

care was the only thing that m

ers. Then at Julian,

t, the hope, the fea

a vast, co

r voice surprisingly

o lose. Her baby was g

awn, but maybe, just may

papers. And then