poured without a word, and she gulped it down. The moment the

n blurred, and the room spun.

ted. She wasn't sure how long she had slept,

returned sent a cold chill down her spine. She sat

rself, filling her vision as her eyes dart

ing cold water all over her face, hopi

and tousled hair. "Ugh, Ivory, pull yourself together," she s

he realization hit her

t a dress and hastily putting it on. She barely had time to check

smirked. "Well, here comes the guest of honor, now

, Dad. I didn't even want to be her

e took in her appearance. "Where have you been, Ivory

tion. "I-uh, I had a drink, okay? Just to unw

warned you time and again to stop consum

off. She needed deflection from such discussion

e said, the lines of his face s

ered under her breath, thinking of the sex she

ort your marriage to Laura but I didn'

ined concerned. "I know, Ivory. This hasn't been easy

smile, though doubt chewed

hen added, "just like you and Leo

Dad?" she inquired, trying to keep her voice st

veness. "You never were interested

lightly. "Oh, it's nothing. I

ough his eyes reste

Ivory echoed, her v

lock "So why aren't yo

pe thing," he said. "B

ing. I'll ri

rely entered the room when her friends swa

, looking at her with mock suspicion. "Yo

oiding the question. "Oh,

eased another friend. "Yo

t another friend butted in. "Wait,

oice to a conspiratorial whisper. "Yo

No, of course not!" She protested,

at her playfully. "We won't

just then how very loud her voice seemed to be. "I just.

eve her but of course, they were willing to let

guess it to the full. However, the thought of how to confront Leo still lingered in her mind, a knot of anxie

the mansion was so peaceful, everyone trying to get

e could, but then it was quite problema

kitchen table sipping her coffee as

quickly, he took it in his hands and read t

broke into several pieces on impact. I

she asked, her voice ti

e stormed out of t

ed in her mind. What was in that messa