e Thornt

architectural award

mself called to

rm, fatherly. "A very bright future indeed. Perhaps now would

was it. The validati

dy. I bou

propose, to finally secure what I tho

he man who' d been like a father

n the city, the one who' d b

consulting doctors, managing his affairs. The

needed her supp

awling mansion outside the city, n

the long driv

e music, the s

avish, extra

mach t

rough a side en

er and clinking gla

s, snippets of conversat

itable for Isabelle

rling, such a

hip boy, Ethan Cole? He was

od ran

en I s

the center of the grand bal

nd her waist. She w

nouncing the

tered, a flicker of something –

ust look

he crowd parting, a path

ackled wit

ce was hoarse.

expression hardening, perhaps

istant. "This is my engagement party

tbroken, confused. "Our unders

h word a perfectly aimed dart. "A childhood

hrough me. "You led me on! All t

yes f

l

n the sudden silen

nt burned o

voice trembling. "Leave a

and they walked away, leaving me s

ator Vance

id of emotion. I effectively resigned from

nal concern. But I saw the gli

errible shock. Perhaps some time away from the city would do you goo

unity" – the revitalization

he framed it.

to b

the n

expensive watch back to

urt. "Wishing