cka

arm at his command, but her eyes shot dagg

ble for a lie, an excuse, anyt

other word, a sharp, familiar vo

y! You finally de

towards us from across the lawn, my youn

eet, the tear-stained face. A look of pure disgust twisted her feature

she turned to Candice, her expression melting into one of doting affecti

embrace. "Aunt Dorothea," she sobbed theatrically, "I don't know why E

her, offering comfort to the gir

over her shoulder. "You have the nerve to com

them, and my breath

s a necklace I knew intimately. A delicate platinum

ft my father gave

days, thinking I'd misplaced i

The words were a

her lips. "Oh, this?Aunt Dorothea gave it

ring with a fresh wave of pain. "You

ce of jewelry. Don't be so dramatic. Candi liked i

it to me!" My voice broke, em

ompared to this. This was a desecration. My mother had taken my

all, an observer standing on the per

tter heartbreak. I saw his eyes track from the necklace on Can

my selfishness, completely oblivious to the

her like the perfect mother-daughter pair.The flame that had burned in my h

I just stared at th

ifted, fin

ilent, hopeless plea for help from t

o a thin line. I could almost see the

e said or did in this mo