ena

ained in secret pushed the annulme

nib. I did not ask for a single cent of Vincenzo's blood money.

my name from the synd

e into my palm. It had become a persistent, angry red by the

ut my phone; the low hum of the engine

s group. It was a picture of Donna and Rosalie, smi

as from Vincenzo's perso

teering wheel until my

e years old, hiding behind my le

isgust for her civilian mothe

my few belongings and leave the pap

nna ran into the living ro

ant," she bragged loudly. "He t

incenzo used to despise the extravagance of that place. He had always

salie. And he had forgotten t

a, holding a small pastry box.

alie said, walking in with a smug smile. "But I

ned t

a mango

ly allergic

ng, I had told him about my allergy when he tried to share a mango

it on the coffee table, his expression blank. He said

his expression soured by the sight of my plain sweater and jeans. "Spend more of my money. Buy better

went de

I looked at the legs that only worked because I had mas

I replie

nto Vincenzo's study, I placed the manila fo

ood grain of the desk until the dark lines wavered and blurred into a mea

ir vent, a dry, chilled draft whispered across my ba

aning his body when he could not even move to use the bathroom. I rem

own nightgown clinging to my s

nted me gone because I was a living, breathing

as I signed the papers, even as I packed my bags, so

ever