ssa

led out a small, velvet bag. He tossed it

"Bella said to give these to yo

It was cheap, the v

rough fabric. Inside were a few pieces of costum

cards. Forc

ea hit me. The casua

urge to throw the bag back at hi

I would throw it away the

s waiting. Leaning against the wall, scr

smile blooming on her face. "Alis

icked to my purse. To the section wh

for a split second.

hirped. "I just wanted to say... no har

was a master o

, my voice neutral.

up her wrist. A

She twirled her wrist, the tiny charm glittering. "He

e, I heard a muffled thum

spiratorial whisper. "He got me a matching one f

htened up. "Well, duty

me, her perfume

hen, with a sudden, decisive movement, I unclasped the silver charm bracelet from

all b

thick with the overpowering smell of s

exclaimed, his face contorted in a grimac

Chili noodles, hot wings, jalapeño poppers. All the

g themselves. "Seriously, what is this stuf

mical weapon," a

e knows you hate spicy food, and she's been trying

ification from the com

delicious and spicy afternoon t

the veiled jab. It w

faces flushed and uncomfort

lear and firm. "Tell every

ked. "R

r something de

the team. "Finally!

you're

sadness formed. This was my last act as

ice at the end of the day,

Did you tell E

ctly. He

being so secretive. He's worried.

where I'm going. Not a word t

ing. But... is e

I'm so sorry, child. For everything. Ethan... he's a mess. He's always been

rendon," I said, the wor

ll of pain. "He loved his mother so much. And that f

rgument about her overspending. She had stormed out, gotten into a car accident, and died instant

hat had blossomed into a real family bond. Ethan had been a welcome presen

d held his hand through his nightmares, listened to

a bottomless well, and

pain, convinced that my love, my un

her, belittled my family

d contorted with rage. "You think you can just leave me? After everything? You're

ty for him, was now a barren

on my car wind

ce was pale,

d, his voice hus