k, cream-colored cardstock with gold-embossed lett

months away. A lavish des

world, their future, had no place for her. She was a l

into the mailbox felt like a quiet act of rebellion.

her closest friends. Erica was, inexplicably, invited. A final p

iled. She made small talk. She felt like an ant

dow when she overheard two

y making it official," one s

aited long enough. He wants to start a family right away. He s

e of her life, a marriage, reduced to a di

st information. A final, clinical confirm

m. Alex and Diamond, standing on the patio. The l

wn and whispered something in her ear. Diamond laughed, a hig

of the funeral. A reenactment. A deliberate callback to her public branding.

about him, every lingering shred of

l. People scurried for co

he lawn, letting the cool drops fall o

laced with annoyance. He was offering shelter, but it felt like an o

losed her eyes and tilted her

lean. It

words a silent vow. I am not a ghost at

e he had chosen. And for the first time, she felt

g. She was just Erica. And Er

gate at the end of the driveway. The rain was washing the old wor