adn't

couldn't put down, its faded blue ink and impossible dat

e knew by heart for

s waiting for breakfast, her stoma

rathe

lready turning toward the do

e walked in. Eva stood in the doorway, w

deliberate precision. "Replacement br

that followe

her fac

even look up f

" he

ightened, she sai

e it was the on

ing hot across the front of her dress before she could pull

rd with a cloth, re

ave

the maid off with two fingers. "Let her sit in it.

cloth still in han

e table. Waiting for

-

n's jaw was tight,

ple who watched her discomfort like it was mildly interestin

n this house. Somet

humiliation any longer, and made it exactly to t

lingered outside lon

ar the stairca

gone with

ke the l

pulled Eva to the window be

Then her sister stepped out, dressed like she'd walked off a magazine

ard straight toward Ev

" she said, pulling

ed. The weddin

do." Her gaze dropped to

it b

, sharp, fingers closing around Eva's hand, trying

so hard she stumbled against th

breathing hard, like the failed grab had

he didn't move. "You left. You

why you really disapp

landed lik

y still. "What are

kered - triumph first, then

tly what I'm t

t. "I don't remember anything from five years

ed face cracked. Not guilt. Terror - raw and

ice dropped, quieter, almost plea

why di

darted toward the mansion, toward the windows, li

," she whispered

abruptly she nearly b

ped closer. "Who f

he'd walked in with was gone, replaced by something

d her sunglasses back on, hands trembling. "Ke

toward the car, heels stu

e engine.Lowe

irectly

: "You really don

fr