y's

tening on the phone. I co

t bring him charging into the city, ready to start a war to pro

to clean it up myself

aid, trying to keep my voice even. "Pl

py with the non-answer, bu

e. Nicholas had arranged an emergency pr

on the news cha

ed like a man utterly blindsided. He spoke about his shock, about how he had no idea what he'd done wrong

ating it up, their f

jilted victim. A good guy, w

orld was watching him, feeling sorry for him

y. He was a walking

ready-open door. I glanced up from the televisi

ding a gift. A sleek

d. "What

ss," he answered, his voice neutr

-red box as he placed it on my vanity. My

was a delicate, impossibly beau

art s

this br

ic apology gift because he'd forgotten our first anniversary. I had been so mad

it came fr

and I threw it away because I tho

parkling diamonds

ce hollow, as I fastened it a

ind as he glanced at my outfit.

the bracelet feeling cool against my skin. "I'm heading out. Pleas

ol on my face. My gaze kept drifting back to t

he empty air, a question

s you... huh?

to meet Lia there. Yes, that Lia. My best friend also happened to be a reporte

Lia had told me about, the interview was still in fu

e, dabbing at a non-existent tear, while re

camera rig. She wasn't holding a mic; she was just glaring at

ve her a little wave, and I took a step

nto something. O

normal person; it was l

ology dying on my li

ered, my heart leap

ng the spectacle on stage with a look of bored amusement. I was so close, our b

mered, "what are