rthur with a curt nod, forgoing the customary gratuity, a shocking

my c

ont door, I slipped out of the

," I called

ssion softening slig

rous tip from my own savings, money I had carefully squirrele

a flicker of understanding in his eyes. "Th

my voice barely a whisper. "To avoid any future c

sure he was lis

tella Johns she knows has a small, crescent-shaped

tood exactly what I was telling him. It wasn't just a piece of inform

voice now holding a new weight. "Congratulations again, M

the cool marble under my feet grounding me.

ack to fac

e from the living room, followed

ll myself! I'd rather die than s

ct Gabrielle, throwing a crystal vase against the wall. My mother

leaded. "I'll fix this. I pr

gave me was not one of a mother looking at her child. It was the lo

kill me once. I had no do