lowed were a blur

nufactured grief and oppressive care. They planned Jayda's funeral. T

soft, melodic tones, Alex's deep, assenting rumbles. They were a unit, a

kitchen, humming to herself as she directed a catering tea

smile. "I was just telling them where to put the bar. Alex though

ing motion of ownership. "My house,"

laration of Diamond's control over this tragedy. She was the grieving

a walk," Erica sa

Diamond said, her brow furrowing with

d some

n the small kitchen television caught her ear

lder sister, former violinist Erica Wade, has been struggling with severe mental health and addiction issues for years. There

physical blow. She froze,

The media, they're like vultures. Twisting things." She walke

aced with pity. "They don't know what you've been throu

pathy. But underneath, Erica saw a flicker of triumph. This was her work.

saw the report on the TV, then loo

on a mask of weary concern.

particular. He looked at Erica. "Don't

he most profound insult of all. He was "protecting" her from a fire he and Diamond had set. He

nd I... we think it might be best if you considered getting some prof

gilded cage to compl

clicked into place. Discredit

ss associates of Diamond. They offered condolences to Diamond and Alex. They looked at E

r, a glass of water

ack to her. Diamond walked up to him, a plate of food in her hand. She

hearsal, he would always be there with a plate of her favorite food, tell

someone else. It had been

. A long, possessive kiss, right there in the

passion. It was a de

st a profound and utter finality. The last e

She walked through the crowd, her movements calm

It was a performance, her final act of decency in a world that had offer

. The real story