pped away from the crowd. No one noticed me leave. Their star was Emily

into the pre-dawn chill. The city was still quiet

n we were children, if I got a better grade on a test, my parents would say the teacher mu

bitter, jealous twin. They created the n

promised me a way out, a way to earn their love. For ten years, I followed its tasks, debasing mysel

t was successful, but my parents told everyone I was struggling and that David

estigious firm. She stole my designs, won awards wit

ed, I presented evidence. It never mattere

admitted defeat. The ga

ivi

h my thoughts. He had pu

said. It wasn

eat without a word. The si

d, his eyes on the road. "It was messy, but

praising an employee for h

one. Would a single tear fall for the wife he never loved? Or would he just be rel

a side entrance

," he said. "Avoid an

oung people cornered me. They were ho

of them shouted. "

twisted in anger. They were Em

eamed, shoving me. "How could

splattered against my hair. They were closing in, shouting, pushing

ushed his way through the small

lled. "Leave her

his body taking the brunt of another thrown object. He go

st the door, br

ooking at me. There was a s

ker of what might have been

etter. It wa

I said, my voice flat. "Got to make sure the orga

s eyes died, replaced by a f

traightening his jacket. "Let's go. You n

d down the hall, ex

e was nothing e