or work with a spring in his step. He kissed me goodbye, h

perwork for the adoption today," he s

ack. "Very

closed behind him,

ture of her, sitting in David's office chair, her feet up on his desk. She was wearing the "Love

t against her slightly rounded stomach. "He sai

suppressing for days

ken "Love-ly" necklace. I held it in my hand for a second, then walked into the

had bought me, the shoes, the bags. They were all part of the costume

emote country on the other side of the world. A place with bad

the booking, my phon

la is tonight. I completely forgot. I need you there with me. It'

thick I could h

id," I said cal

seven. Wear that red dress.

dressed in their finest, filled the grand ballroom. I wa

but her eyes were fixed on us. She was wearing a tight, black dress that did litt

to us, a glass of spar

he said, her smile sickly sweet.

id, my own smile just as

lly" stumbled, splashing her wat

bing at my arm with a napkin. Her hand, with the "Love-ly" bracel

e said, looking up at me

oice full of concern. He completely ignored my stained dress. He put a steadying ha

omach for a split second. A pu

ama unfold. I could feel their stares, their whispers. T

had won. She had shown everyo

h. I would not let

n at Emily. I smiled a

m. "You should take Emily to the lounge to sit d

oks just like the necklace my husband designed for me for our anniversary. He is so wond

ze, his eyes wide with panic. The

wait for

," I announced to David. "I

. I walked back to David, stood on

ill on Emily's arm, and I gently pushed i

" I whispered, for only him to hear. "

feel his terrified gaze on my back. I coul

dn't

in place, while Emily clung to his arm, her face a mask of shock and fury. He wa

over. My role in t