persistent rain began to fall. The air was

darkening in the drizzle. Mark held an umbrell

was simple, jus

Beloved Daught

me at seventeen, my smile wide and genuine, my eyes

Next to my plot was a newer one, for my mother. The grief of my dea

ent, I thought I saw a flicker of something in his eyes-doubt, pe

eam, his voice like a whip

g it

ou can' t! That' s...

ked, not even looking at him. "Becau

eyed. The shovels bit into the soft, wet soil with sicken

earthed a sma

e dirt off. He held it in his hands, a strange, triumphant

It was a terrible sound, full of mockery

as all an act!" he crowed, hold

face pale. His eye

n was

brother would never leave

e small, black wooden box buried just beneath the gravestone. The box that he

drove straight back

erched on the edge of the sofa, looking frai

thin shoulders. As he did, her blouse shifted, revealing

irit

weeks. The charm meant to protect Ethan, to keep him safe from harm. And now it was around her neck. My ultimate sacrifice

would help me, I would disappear from your life forever. I promise." She punctua

ilently in the corner, lunged

de and, with a roar of pure rage, smashed the empty urn on the

e her ashes?" he bellowed, his fa

done, let out a primal scream. He launched himself at Ethan, h

le. A crystal photo frame toppled

n fr

ken glass was a picture

?" He couldn' t finish the sentence. The question hun

. "You mistreated her in life, and now you

ched a handful of the broken glass. The shards sliced into his pal

etic pain, as if my own s

a rushed forward, pulling a silk handkerchi

ed at his assistant, who was still standin

ake