blanket, suffocating me with the ghosts of laughter

picked out together. I remembered Liam piggybacking me through the doo

ther than on the plaster. I remembered lazy Sunday mornings in o

ow beat for someone else. His h

me for me

owed his parents the courtesy of a farewell. They h

, imposing house where Liam grew up. As I pull

ght

her voice high and delighted. I could hear Richard, his father, his deepe

her expression sympathetic. S

, and the color drained from his face. He looked l

athed, taking a

the air. She was sitting at a patio table with Olivia, a plate

d, his voice tight. "

you, you barren woman, you show up and upset her even more. You're

like stones,

"Mrs. Hayes, please don't be upset. It's not C

s more insulting than E

ouse," Eleanor said, poin

een defending me and placating his mother. I wal

talk? In

a sly, confident smile to

luded part of the garde

sked, dropping the sweet act. He

to kno

child. You want more reasons? I was married before, you know. To a rich old man. He died and left me nothing.

ashamed. It was al

ou're just usin

do." She stepped closer, her voice dropping to a vicious whisper. "H

something I n

d it against her own stomach.

ting out a piercing scream. "Ahh! S

ured lawn, clutching her sto

ents, everyon

till outstretched from where she had thrust it. His eyes, j

ked, his voice a hoarse whisper

cracked across my face. The force of the slap sent me stu

rieked. "You tried to

rms. He looked at me over her shoulder, hi

and carried Olivia away. Richard and Eleano

in the garden, my cheek burn

ove

n our study. I pulled ou

ent. I signed my name at the b

a single

. The next day was our f

ur bed, right on Liam's pillow. I dated it for