against the windows, and thunder rattled the old house. I sat in the guest room, watch

few minutes later, one of

e. A large branch fell and broke a wind

I said. "I

ee her," the maid added, her eyes f

way. I saw Richard' s car speeding away, cutting through the pouring rain. He didn

only to have him snap at me that he was busy, couldn't I handle anything on my own? He' d come home late that night, h

e. He was no longer my problem. His devotion to her was no longer a kn

lothes for Richard. She listed the specific items she wanted, a soft cashmere sweater, his most comfortable jeans. It

r expression uncertain, w

d. "And have the dr

can' t win a war against an opponen

what had happened,

n. He helps people. Vivian is a delicate soul, she needs protectio

," I replied, turning bac

at will people say? An annulment in this family... it' s a disgrace. You

In my past life, they would have shattered me. The barrenness of my w

. I had died once already, what co

manage,

signer, running a small but highly respected couture embroidery house. After his death, the business had faltered, but its reputation, its arch

ive materials. The connection was obvious,

arls, and I saw a woman terrified of losing control. Her son' s perfect

you know," I sa

ond of her. She was his firs

" I said. "And I am no long

lief. She saw the finality in my eyes and knew she had

ir own way, dependent on a man' s affection for their sense of worth. Vivian, with he

would not be dependent on anyone ever again. I would build my own world, on my own terms. The