iet hospital room. Joey was gone. She walked to her mother's bedside,

ul with that man," she sai

Hortense, don't start. Joey is a gentle

Hortense said, as if th

defensive. "Just because your own marriage is a disaster,

jab. Hortense flinched. "This ha

"I see how you look. You're exhausted. You're thin

on a water stain on the ceiling

a good man, a powerful man. Men make mistakes. They have... indiscretions. It's the woman's job to be forgiving,

he road? Is that what you call it?" She finally looked at her mother,

. "That was different! And don't you dare use that tone wit

er. There was no point. Her mother would never understan

om," she said, her voice f

er chest. "You what? After everythi

turned and walked out of the room, closin

he quickest way was through a long, quiet service corridor that c

shed floor. The air was cool and still. As she approa

ped into her path,

d up, and her

was

e Em

mile that didn't reach his eyes. His eyes

kname sliding off his tongue like sy

ing for a stray strand of hair

her, taking a sharp step back. "Don't to

ident all those years ago?" he asked, his tone one of gentle chiding, as

. "To be angry, I'd have to feel something fo

more intense. "We both know that's not true," he whispered. "You and

knife, using the one title that defined the impassable gulf between t

sk sha

of motion, he lunged, his hand closing around her throat. He slammed her

was inches from hers, contorted with fury.

is fingers tightening

haze of fear, a cold, sharp clarity emerged. He was emoti

n eyes wide and empty. Then, with all the force she coul

his grip loosening

all she

gasping for air. She rubbed her

his face pale. She didn't run. She stood there, her chest

voice raspy. "A sick, twisted cow

. A low, strange chuckle that made the hairs on her arms stand up.

voice filled with a sick, reverent awe. "So much more al

ed away, her pace quickening with every step, needing to put

ice followed her down the empty

rty. I'm going to burn that miserab