t quiet.

ht he' d learn

A message from Liv C

ation Gala, the biggest charit

e containe

nd Chloe

ing a gown. No

d commissioned for this exact gala. The one I' d decided aga

still m

ped up almost simultaneousl

ala! Thanks to Mr. Hayes for showing me w

ith a faint smile, his a

d always refused even casual snaps w

eaming for his sec

ty was bre

s photo and Chloe

ow. Why is she w

rep

my phone screen. I went

he photo

ll, velvet-line

ollege girlfriend. The one who had died tragical

owers, a pressed cor

ster, years ago, how sa

e to Stella. It was the only logical reason for his sudden, inexplicab

hoto of the

ess than thirty

e was trembling, a mix of panic and

"I feel the same way when other people touch my t

g heavily. "Wha

. There are private suites at the venue. She can

ear them once! What does it matt

t for your little playthings to pick through. You have

Ava?" he

s go up in smoke. Literally. I

ung

at the gala, the music

n, cold dread

o