"Kate" P

nizable mask of pure malice. Her manicured nails, painted a harsh crimson,

ire body around the two urns like an impenetrable human shield, and pivoted sharply to the side. Her fingernails missed the boxes but slice

mental focus went into locking my elbows together,

ked from the safety of the expensive sofa, pulling her legs up higher

nst my shoulder, shoving me hard with both hands. In the chaotic struggle, her clawing fingers caught t

ed wood slipped f

et toward the unforgiving marble floor, I threw my entire body downward. I twisted my torso violently in mid-air, ignoring all inst

lungs. I crashed onto the cold marble floor, curling my body into a tight ball, gas

the floor. But he didn't kneel down to help me up. He didn't ask if I was hurt

ed down at me lying on the floor. His brow furrowed in deep annoyance,

And then, I want you to get on your knees and apologize to my mother. You know she has a bad he

ight screwing his mistress. He had abandoned my parents' military funeral for a tiny kitchen scratch. He watched his mother ass

pushed myself up slowly, ignoring the screaming pain in my ribs, until I was standing perfectly straight. I carefully placed the two

ou spent last night in a hotel room screwing Alize. You skipped my parents' military funeral because she accidentally scratched

alse righteous attitude crumbling instantly as he realized I was not going to protect his public image anymore. "Wait, is that why you froze our joint

my voice rising with fierce authority

sed rage. "Shut up! You are just my

d my uninjured right hand and slapped him across the

ac

act snapped Emerson's head hard to the side. A bright red handprint bloomed instantly on his pale

aid coldly, shaking my stinging hand. I picked up my parents' urns, turned my back on his s

y dignity back, but as I started the engine of my Jeep, a profound, crushing emptiness s