s forced to call home. Clara stepped out, pulling Julian's coat tighter. The scen

ng in the foyer, her face arranged in

back! Howard

und it was a physical weight on her shou

oversized coat. "Oh, what a

oice flat. She tried to walk past, but her fat

" Howard Hayes said. There was no w

been holding back for years finally broke free. "I want to move out," she

culous. The invitations for the engage

, Dad," she said, her voice cr

tactics, his voice softening into a tone of patronizing reason. "Clara, you know wh

hat haunted every room in this ho

d carefully placed on her shoulders as a child, settled over her again. "It wa

d and final. "Especially Arthur Sterling. This marriage is the on

r. Her life wasn't her own. It was a transa

last reserve of strength. "I won't spend

voice bouncing off the high ceilings. "It is your duty

weapon, designed to make he

It was useless. She just s

ual role of peacemaker. "Howard, don

nort and retreated into his stud

ly. "Your father is just under

nt, so insulting, it

door, leaned back against it, and slid to the floor. She pulled Julian's coat around her and buried her face in the s