Mulli

ed, but the car d

e I cared, but because he wa

t filled with fear. They were filled with a wild, triumphant lig

s a m

t a word. I left my battered car in the alley and called for a ride.

rs were still on my agenda, but my strategy had to change. A direct confro

ed to be colder

zed with an unexpected mes

what I did was wrong. Can we please meet? I need

m her usual smug taunts. It was humble

curious. What new level of pat

? I r

n Napa Valley. The ad

waiting,

n-style villa overlooking rows and rows of grapevines, the leaves just beginning to turn

ed in a flowing white dress, looking for all the

oming," she said, her

t looked at her, my e

to come inside. "P

stone fireplace, was a portrait. It was a photograph, blown up to an obscene size, of h

t what made my

of the photo. It was from six years ago. Be

g. A small, cruel smi

g time. He sponsored my scholarship to Stanford. I was just a poor

relationship. Pictures of them everywhere. At a charity

ng with false sympathy. "In the guest room of your house. He told me I was like a litt

fore the crash." It was a

old me he was going to have you, no matter what it took. I was so jealous. But

was filled with jewelry. My jewelry. P

e. "He has terrible taste, you know. I had to guide him. Even your wedding ring... that was my cho

finger, where the heavy, ornate d

looked at it," she whispered, her eyes gleaming wi

"thoughtful" presents... all of it had been filtered through he

"He was always mine. You were just an intermission. A

, so proud of her secondhand life. She thought

y face. It was a genuine smi

dida," I said,

fused. "Thank

nt of doubt. Wondering if I was being too cruel. But you... you're so won

et and pulled out a vintage silver lighter. A gift from Cal

she asked, a flicker

more fitting tribute," I

shot up, small and defiant. I walked o

" she shrieked,

he curtain. It caught instantly, a line of fire

wooden ceiling beams, devouring the shrine of her st

ust stood there, watching the flames, a feeling o

, I heard the sound of a car

v

saw the inferno. He looked from the fire to me, then to C

in the eye, the heat o

ce calm and clear over the crackl

-