the sound of the door opening broke the silence. I didn't need to look up to know it was Josey. My

making her way toward the couch with that trademark, smug smile plastered o

y mind, to make me go back to Desmond, and part of me wanted to scream, to

boring into me, studying me like some kind of prey. She was goi

you're making a scene about it. He's only human, after all. Men make

idn't make a mistake. He made a choice. He's been using me from the start. All those sweet words, all that 'love'-it was all a lie. He n

t he was. And you, Josey... you don't get to come here and tell me wh

e victim. This time, I would live fo

eyes. The pain. The betrayal. The day of my death-the way Desmond had

*******

AY I

sat cross-legged on the floor, drawing carefully on the canvas in front of me. My pencil mo

best thing I had ever done. It was everything I had dreamed of-

y thoughts. I glanced at the scree

" I said, picki

be coming over later with some friends. Ma

ervous. "Of course, Mother. Is there a

older. "And remember, you need to talk about how great Desmond is. Your par

tighter. "Yes, Mot

said shortly

nished painting. This was supposed to be a gift for Desmond, something to show how much I cared.

ked hard to make the meal perfect. I checked ev

s, I greeted them with a smile. "Welcome," I

ly. "Here's what I made," I s

s is disappointing, Faye. I thoug

yself to smile. "I'm sorry, Mot

whispered, "Don't forget to speak highly of Desmond

into knots. I wanted to talk to Desmond

I packed it carefully and placed it in the car. I tried ca

pered to myself, dialin

grew. When I reached the house, it was e

other's assistant. "Where is every

the gallery," the assista

aid, frowning. "Tha

eft some documents in the cabinet. Can you

said, though

next to the painting in the car. As I drove

ot, I saw Desmond's car parked n

g on the ground nearby. Picking it up, I opened it w

ened. "Why did

ed quickly into the gallery. I nee