than the house she grew up in. The silence was a balm after the intensity of the surgery.

n unknown num

o'clock. Finn will pick you

duty headphones over her ears, and cranked up a thrash metal band to a volume that made the windows vibrate. T

e doorbell chimed. Aria, lost

he button again and again. After five minutes

nswering, Mr

tight with impatience. "Then get the b

f the living room, eyes closed, head bobbing gently to the deafen

He took a tentative step forward

sudden silence ringing in her ears. She looked at Finn with

at his watch, then mimed

ortune in couture gowns. She ignored them all, pulling out a simple, high‑necked black dress

trance, his face a thundercloud of irritation. His eyes flickered over her simple dress with disapproval, but he said nothing. He simply

oom when Theodore Sterling Sr. mounted the

have a particularly joyous announcement to make. I am thrilled to officially welcome Miss

ix on Aria. She felt the weight of their gazes-shock, envy, outright disbelief.

Never hea

mute. From some

lian Sterling

pinned under the microscope of high so

a champagne flute in hand. She looped her arm through

et engaged and don't e

childhood friend and the woman ever

n, completely ignoring Aria. Then she turned, her eyes sweeping o

weetness. "It's so lovely to meet you. It must be so difficul

ew her hand from Julian's arm and turned to head tow

ound Aria's wrist in a surprisingly strong grip. The

her voice a venomous whisper. "We'