ce felt cold in A

her

akly from the bedroom of thei

tore thr

itchen counter, a mountain of d

phy student, juggled

never

through her lens felt distant, b

lery showcased a few

ver o

her mentor, had pu

a corner, watching pe

ce: a black and white shot of a lone, resili

ies, dressed in a perfectly ta

radiated

inding hers. They wer

he asked, hi

her throat s

Ethan

naire. Ava had

lingering on the photograph, then on her. "It shows

sion. Ava found herself relax

ssor Albright mentioned your talent, and

flus

onsider it a patronage. I'll cover your mother's me

less. It sounded t

" she final

ttend events with me, public and private. Be an inspirat

ed companion. The w

unease. Her mother neede

sional?" Ava asked

a deeper promise. "Think about it, Ava. But

her hi

ed a few days later. She told hers

ive. He listened. He

gs began to st

her with gift

casually mentioned liking its old-world charm. "A piece of history p

tness a rare meteor shower, a celestial display that left her breathl

d volunteered for, a project close to her h

ieve. His affectio

falling

Hayes return

s ex-

g, powerful, a venture capitalist who moved

announced in business jou

. Ava was just an obs

se, a place Ava was still getting used to, a p

her, perfectly poised,

dripping with condescension. "Ethan has

und. "I don't kno

e enjoying the gifts, aren't you? The bookstor

heart t

npleasant sound. "Darling, t

er phone, swipin

the same bookstore, ye

ky, a different meteor shower perha

ssionate, describing his vision for a cultu

stures," Victoria said, her eyes glinting with malice. "He

eautiful moments, no

whispered, more t

ened. "Does he? Let'

al was cru

a major past joint investment. It requires his

a typed

e been mugged. Say you' re shaken, at a local police precinct. Some

trembled. Thi

doubt had been plan

been mugged. I' m at the 17th Preci

hit

own phone already buzz

ed. One m

h he' d left on the

own message

er message.

drying his hair with a towel, o

He tapped Victori

ce wen

asked, her voice

r. He was already grabbi

voice tight with urgency. "An em

his eyes fixed on

ed on his phone scree

as g

licked shut, the sound ech

then at Ethan's phone, h

ed. No cal

her, a look of tr

ess and history. That' s what he values. You

t Ava like p

n shattered, leaving

e of Art in London Professor Albright had nominated her for. A drea

the only lifeline

e had passed weeks ago. It

ion, her role as a substi

lanced at Ava' s unread message, and

m know you had a little scare.

ne in the vast, opulent space that

n compromised dreams, and Ethan' s casual