y curtains, stabbing directly into Dorene's eyes. She jolted awake, her br

still wedged perfectl

led hair and pushed herself off the mattress. Her muscles ached from sleeping compl

nt of the bedroom door, taking three deep breaths to brace herse

open and stepped i

ompletel

ll lingered on the edge of the brass frame. The first aid kit was left open on the counter, with used, blood-soaked gauze and the empty rubbing alcohol bottle tossed carel

an unexplainable emptiness washed over her. She walked over to the floor-to-ceilin

from the suite's do

alked slowly to the heavy front door a

n the hallway, holding a silver tray. On the

fered a polite, professional smile. "Good morning, Ms. Hale. The fro

y black envelope. The moment her fingertips brushed against the raised,

a silver letter opener and sliced through the wax seal without hesitation. S

of the card. Two names were p

ul & Dol

d up. The card nearly

below their names. Her pupils dilated rapidly. The a

he tall barstool next to the island. Her hands began to shake violently. She gripped the

in the dark. Dolly's innocent, sweet smiles every time she poured them coffee. The t

didn't scream. She didn't wail. She just buried her face deep into the crook of her elb

yer. He was still wearing his torn, blood-stained shirt and dark trousers, though he had managed to clean the worst of the grime from his face a

d onto the woman curled into a

ing on the crumpled black and gold invitation lying on the car

ed back against the wall, hiding in the shadows. He watched her spine tremble w

ted for five agonizing minute

with the back of her hand in a harsh, frantic motion. Her eyes,

ng out the creases with her thumbs. The motion was stiff, mechanica

rmed between his brows. He purposefully stepped out of the shadows, le

night-still looking incredibly dangerous despite his attempt t

trying to hide her red, swollen eyes. "Why are you stil

assive frame cast a dark shadow over her. He picked up a glass, poured warm water

ing. "Crying isn't going to fix a damn thing," he stated bluntly. "If a piece of paper is e

Dorene right i

eave with sudden, violent fury. She glared at

tation from behind her back and slammed it onto the counter. Her eyes turned to absolute ic

returning to her eyes. The corner of his mouth t

sofa. "Good luck," he threw the words over his sho

. Dorene stared at the empty space where he had just stood, her fingers