l her legs went numb. She used the edge of th

alked in, bringing a gust of cold air

ass of whiskey, and dropped in a few ice cubes.

her hands, her signs slow and delibera

Aurora, decency matters more than anything," he said, his

ignity. She didn't sign anything else. She sim

er when the phone on her nightstand rang

d Sterling. Julian's grandfather. She t

easantries. "You will learn your place," he said. "If you cause another scandal becau

she gripped the phone. A silent,

the receiver. She simply and decisively ended th

lked into the enormous walk-in closet

gowns Julian had bought for her. She only packed a few sim

her movements mechanical an

the nightstand to retrieve a few sketch

e bottom of the drawer, she didn't notice

ttered through the air and slipped silently i

oks in her suitcase, and zipped it shut. The

e diamond wedding ring from her finger and place

she picked up a pair of scissors and, with one swift motion,

er feet. She changed into a plain black tren

om door. Her hand rested on the handle

he hallway, about to enter the room. His eyes

y a contemptuous sneer. "What is this?" he asked, his vo

own were calm, devoid of any emotion. She

se behind her. The wheels made a monotono

m. He reached out to grab her wris

ou dare expect me to come get you!"

idn't ev

she once loved, and the bedroom