pulled her knees to her chest, staring blankly into th

d with phantom pain as she remembered working three jobs

ce letter from the mail. Tiffany had claimed the state scholars

nor's chest tight. A suffocating grief claw

o her palms until the sharp, physical pain gr

the small porcelain basin in the corner a

n the cracked mirror. Water dripped from her chi

re the marriage certificate with Rory. Get t

larger room, Tiffany was pacing fur

nd. It throbbed with a dull ache, but her

he was completely unable to accept that the qui

leanor actually married Rory Donovan, her plan to ruin E

rrative, Tiffany picked up the heavy

local auto shop. She knew Wayne Hick

e was gruff, still dripping with residual

used a sweet, manipulative tone, forcing her

g about you in the hallway. She called yo

line. His fragile masculinity was easily

at Eleanor always walked the wooded path alone in th

out respect," Tiffany suggested, her vo

. "I'll handle that bitch tomorr

vanished instantly. A wicked, deeply

e locks on her thin window. It was a

rawer. She opened it to count the few crumpled d

alized her special floral tin

earlier that evening. It was a petty theft,

them back in the morning. She refused to con

w bed. She pulled the thin, sc

nded her tense body to rest and pre

as the pale morning sun hit her window. She