t. The sound vibrated through the floorboards, sig

old hardwood floor, pulling her legs up and

heavy furniture echoed relentlessly. Every thud was a grim r

ones. Then, she forced herself to stand up. Her legs felt heavy

reading chair and the vanity, but her father's framed ph

e. She traced her father's smiling face with

A single tear escaped, tracking down her pa

fingers brushed against the thick, textured cardstock.

the dim light from the window. Th

nlocked her cell phone. Her fingers sho

e to her ear. The li

, gravelly v

rol

o it was. He knew ex

oat. A shiver ran down her spine at

f the nightstand so ha

she stated. Her voice was ho

faint sound of his steady breathing. He let the heavy weight of

his tone was strictly b

ign the prenuptial

nd a guarantee. The hospital bills and

ing sound came through the phone speake

assured her. "The funds will be wired the sec

t happens next?" she asked, h

ll meet Leo at the Boyle corporate law offices at eight a. m. sharp to sign the p

rangements-" Carolina tried to

," Gerard cut h

ne wen

een. The finality of her decision crash

itcase. She unzipped it and began throwing in basic clothing-sweat

refully picked up her most prized possession: he

last look around the room that he

switch, turning off the light an

pulling the heavy wooden door shut b