son

Her eyes, fixed on us, filled with a mixture of shock and betrayal. Then, witho

l staring at the empty space where she had been. The look on his face was one of profound, agonizin

nothing. I was a prop in his twisted, tragic play, a convenient b

rd tasting like bile in my mouth. "

I slapped him, hard, the sound echoing like a gunshot in

ed by a dazed, empty confusion, as if he was waking from a trance. He looked at me,

together the shredded remnants of my dignity. I ran, my heels clicking a frantic, despera

r and almost collided with

s Ken

ng but. There was no heartbreak in them now. Only a cold, hard

y voice hoarse. I was too tire

neered, the fragile facade dropping completely. "Just bec

t, trying to push past

ssing waiter's tray and swung it. I saw a flash of green glass, a glint

and a high, piercing ringing in my ears. Black spots danc

l room. I was alone. For a moment, I thought I' d imagined the whole thing. T

hed tears. "I was just so angry. So jealous. She's so beautiful, and h

he vulnerable, frightened girl, d

deep, bone-weary resignation. "I

y been shattered into a million piec

rmur. "That's all she's ever been. A necessary arrangement to keep you safe.

s not

silent room, in the si

Is. N

-