ry conversation died.

m his conversation and rushed f

who was now crumpled on the floor, sobbing dra

ly, glaring up at Adriana

a strange sense of clarity. She straightened he

ovita' s throat. It was a one-of-a-kind piece Gi

an motion, unclasped the necklace. Jovi

ttering necklace up

h me," she announced, her voice ringing th

tner. The woman stared, mesmerized. Adriana smiled warmly

," Adriana said. "It

, speechless with s

the crowd. "The party

e out, whispering amongst themselves, their eyes darting between

ed, the silence in the grand h

feet and settled her on a s

st your mind

a deep, hollowing sadness. This was the man she had

Gifford. In our

ou humiliate me in

argue. She turned away fro

d her arm. "We

mixture of anger and exhaustio

arm until he let go. She walked to th

k," he said, his voice softer. "I know this is difficult. But I have a responsi

, as if it were a great concessio

e felt a bitter laugh escape her lips. "You'll teach her

with another woman's husband? Or

he shouted, slamming his fist on a nearby t

amily! Just

pricked at Adriana's eyes, but she refus

for her, Gifford," she said, her voice trembling

. "No casual attire in public. No eating with your hands. No emot

it. For her. I

a dozen emotions: anger, guilt,

pulled out her phone and called

fith," she said, her voice crisp and authoritative. "And

came through the phone. "But

him finish. "I am M

hung

ashen. "Adriana, calm down. Let'

ng to talk abo

hen turned and stormed out of the hou

oed through t

step of the staircase. The tears she had held back for so