pulled away from our apartment, I caught a scent. It was faint, almost unnoticeable, but it was there. A floral, slightly sweet perfume. It wasn't mi

w, watching the city lights blur past.

than asked, his voice breaking the s

weight. "I'm fine," I said. It was a test. He was che

to," he said, his voice dripping with f

I want to be there for my sister."

satisfied with my ans

me in, not since my mother passed away and my father married Bethany's mother, Mrs. Davies. We

s that clung to her every curve. She smiled, a radiant, triumphant

the car. She leaned in through the open driver's side window and kissed

ead stone in my chest. This was it

were fixed on Bethany. He opened my door and helped me out, but I

ensive paper. It was a gift box I recognized. He had given it to me on our first anniversary, a beautiful wooden box he

to Bethany. "For y

ed on a bed of black velvet, was a stunning diamond

es wide with delight. "It's bea

clasped it around her wrist.

her. It was a symbol of my complete an

han?" I asked, my vo

flicker of panic in his eyes. "Scar

ike you're giving my sister a very expensive

ront door flew open again. Mrs. Davies, my ste

ethany late for her own celebration!" She stalked towards us, her eyes l

d. "Can't you at least try to

eet. I must have scuffed it when I got ou

disturbed stones. Without another word, she picked up a delicate p

cup flying towards my head. I trie

in front of Bethany, shielding her with his

from my foot, the sound echoing in the sudden sil

e, protecting her. He chose he

"What in God's name is going on out here?" he bo

sked, his voice holding a note of

y voice shaking with a cold

ooking hurt. "

and watch your wife attack your daughter? The same way you've stood by an

y stepmother's rage, to Bethany's triumphant smirk, and finally to Ethan, the architect of my ru