m and walked int

ap perfume. Empty beer bottles and dirty plates lit

He followed me, still talking, st

listen to me. It's

l trash can next to the toilet. Buried

tween my thumb

his words, all his exc

f evidence, his face turning a sickly s

d exposed, as I dropped

mind shifted. "It's my birthday, Ava," he said

the signed contract, the one now sitting in a thousand pieces in

a different g

to the living ro

ty tonight, Mark?" I

"Steve was here, and Maria, David from accounting..." He

ne name. The mos

kins?" I pro

final confirmation. It shattered the last microscopic slive

lie again, but I didn

ut a folded document, and plac

rce ag

ze on his face. He stared at the

king. He used my full name, the one he knew connected

" I said, my voice cold and final.

explain! It was just a show! Ms. Jenkins promised

s the bathroom. "And what about tha

his face. He looked from

pers, Mark,"

purse and the keys I' d left on

ather bought it for me before we were mar

ftly behind me, leaving him alone