ut boxes and legal documents. Azura was my rock, handling everyt

ack together, Kimberly was busy build

cles and company updates, had transformed. Now it was fil

tion, "Morning views," taken from the

ottoman I had picked out, a glass of expensive w

and Caleb's dog, Scout, on t

oulder at my phone. "She's not even trying to be discreet. A

t, Zu. He just doesn't care. Or maybe, he wants me to see it. He

yal for talking to my friends about our problems. "We're a team,

rule didn't apply

n my chest, but it was being replaced b

ment," I said, standing up. "Th

you," Azura sa

this alone. It's just one

she'd given me before she died. It was the most precious thing I o

ous rhythm against my ribs. I still had my key. I

e was a half-eaten bowl of cereal on the kitchen island

er bedroom. The bed was unmade. A pair of Kimberl

d my veins. She was living

mission. I went to my dress

as e

cally searched through the

for som

doorway, wearing one of my silk robes. She w

voice shaking with fury. "Wh

mask of concern. "Oh, that

d up a small, tangled piece of gold. The lo

h fake regret. "It's so beautiful. I tried it on, just for a

one thing she knew was irreplaceable. This w

I said, my voice

g sorry at all. "Caleb said he'd buy you

act. The culmination of a thousand

ultivating shattered

shot out and I slapped her across the face.

loor and spattering coffee everywhere. Kimberly sh

her mask of innocence gon

myself say, the words coming from

solved into a blur of screaming, s