rownstone like a spaceship that

looking up from his tablet. "Take only

t her face, but for the first time in year

drifted from the living room. Meredi

ss?" Meredith called out

ood in the center of the Persian rug

er glass sloshing wine

ette said calmly. "I'

leave! Who's going to pay the

His treatment is covered for the next year.

did you get that kind of money? Y

t steal

e!" Meredith shrieked,

They were massive, wearing earpieces and s

, nodding to Colette. "We are he

ashed into

y whispered. "Lik

ckly. Her mother's photo albums. Her restoration tools. A few sweaters. Sh

, the bodyguards took t

her face pale. "Colette... honey. If you're... if y

ed at the woman who had m

moment you put a price tag on

ed out t

way. "You can't just le

y door thudded shut, sealing out t

leather seat. She felt

nced at he

she wh

tal, heavy and cold. "Buy clothes. Tomorrow.

him. He was cruel, transactional, and

u," she s

driver. The car pulled away, leaving the bro