pouring rain, waving

threw the door open and climbed in, dr

ving the address to the townhouse

residence. She threw a crumpled hundred-dollar

against the heavy door

oom was blin

e was wearing a silk robe, casually swirli

was wearing Isabella's favorite silk

across the Persian rug, raised her hand, and sla

oed through t

at the corner of his mouth. He slowly turned his head back.

ped his

e shadows of the dining room. A lawyer. H

papers onto the g

Isabella," Deontae said smoot

on. It was a zero-asset settlement. She was giving up everyth

half and threw the pieces at his chest. "I'm not signing anyth

e from his pocket. He tapped the s

live vi

damp basement room. She was coughing violent

cal pain ripped through her chest

ed for t

chest. She stumbled backward an

r her. He grabbed her chin, hi

pered. "Or Anna doesn't ge

sick little baggage and get out of New Yo

palms. The skin broke. Warm blood pool

em. The hatred in h

teady. She needed her daughte

out to the lawye

agreement from his briefcase. He hande

on the dotted line. Her s

onto the glass tab

read out an address for an a

e didn't look at them again. Looki

old canvas tote bag that had been left by the entryway-she had not

er bleeding hands together. Hold on, A