up to the sound of laught

g. I had slept in the spare bedroom, not our

a robe and

stool, her legs swinging like a little girl's. She was wearing one of Mark' s old t-shirt

ned in close, a bottle of syrup in his hand, and whispered something in he

over her pancakes in

el like an intruder in my own home. This was a private moment I ha

e me standing

night, now felt simple and necessary. It settled in my

was

had claimed last night. I got dressed, my movements quick and efficient.

y purse and

h, my best friend and a s

soon as she answered. "I nee

r end of the line. "Chloe? W

r than fine. Just do it. I want everything. The ho

started right away. Come by the

wi

ea. Mark and Lily were on the couch now, watching a m

red my

Oh, Chloe. You' re up. I, uh

voice flat. I looked at the keys

his eyes. "Okay. Are you... are

hing to talk a

ithout another word, the clic

elt surreal, dismantling a life with a few strokes of a pen. But with ever

aiting for me in the living room. Lily w

table was a sm

his voice soft and placating. "I t

I just stood ther

ards me. "I shouldn' t have dismissed your feelings. I' m

mond necklace. It was beautiful. A year

pensive apology meant to smooth over

t want it

ut you loved this when we saw

h," I said. "Thing

do you want from me, Chloe? I apologized. I bought you a gift. I sent Lily t

I said. "I wanted you to choose

y home arrived. I paid the delivery boy at

said with a smile. Th

nd set them on the kitchen counter

r and bewilderment. "What is that for? I was goi

ed over to the guest room door and knocked. "Lily," I called out,

y peeked out. She looked at me,

ake smile. "There' s plenty for everyone. I

need his fancy dinners or his guilt-ridden gifts. I was in control now. I could be g

, his voice a low growl. "Wh

my face. "I' m not trying to prove anyth

oing. He knew this was a performance, a deliberate act of defiance. The battle line