d the gala, his hand po

hispering in her ear, laughing

Each touch, each smile

tched them with a carefully neutra

elt n

n her stomac

old, hol

temple. She didn' t f

actress i

Victoria

her head. She swa

gasped, her

d Ava' s han

toria' s side

d with genuine panic, a stark contrast to his

is arm around her, his f

owd mu

a spectator t

n this sce

quietly walked

stopp

, Ava moved with a st

oms, collecting every i

lothes, the jew

d them in

she occupied. Her few personal belongings, her toilet

herself. A sym

ul, but also

er, his tone casual, that Victoria

o look after her. And it' s... convenient

ld dread, but

guest room, but into the mas

ely began to

ed, surveying the living room. "I prefer warme

move furniture, replac

gs that had made the vast space fee

replaced. A throw bla

to every chan

ease Victoria, to reb

ion with a mix of sadness a

her resolve. S

o London. It was

firm her acce