silk robe, the silk clinging to

cker of surprise, then something colde

an artificial sweetness.

, her gaze raking over my tailor

past her. Each step was delib

rolling through his phone. He looked up,

, then at Cassidy. His con

this, a costume? Trying to play

" My voice was st

y are you in my robe? In

leanor, don't be dramatic. She st

ssidy, are you ready for your vacation to Ar

! I can't wait! And the 'Desert Eagle

worry, honey. Eleanor will understand." He looked at me, a condescending

o say. I could almost hear the ech

der from my bag. I placed it g

ce pa

nt door. The cool metal of the

ing?" Cedric's voice was s

ll on the doorknob. "

ou can't leave, Eleanor. You have nothin

need a man to feel complete. Not all of us are like that." She look

m. Cedric was already pouring a bowl of soup for Ca

. He pushed it towards me without loo

he rim. "Keep it. Both of you." My voice

r the words that wo

ent tremor. The soup bo