oom. My hand throbbed. The humiliation of

a strange sens

he worst part

y go through the few bel

Ethan, of my past life with

er he'd picked for "Wren" from the estate gardens, a silly carica

of

purge. A

ere, radiant, already dressed for a day out. E

rah?" Jessica asked,

I said, keeping

voice cool. "The sooner

er, kissing her temple

anymore. It was

laughter echoin

inued

ca's pre-wedding birthday lu

play the role of the contri

pers fol

is... looks

ed Jessica... tri

ty girl like that,

e in the corner, nurs

a. Linda adjusted a stray curl. Ric

l cake, a perfunctory gift, always overshad

allergy" to chocolate, my favorite. My cake was changed to va

rce of sharp pain, now

r clothes, jewelry, a ridiculous diamond

with a heavy velvet box. Inside, a stunning sapphire necklace. "This was you

om. Passed to t

up, tapping his g

oom q

armth, his eyes only for her. "My beautifu

ocket, pulled out a s

down on

led throug

, his voice clear and str

mouth, her eyes wide with

h, Etha

erupted i

g, passionate kiss

tor at a play I'd s

a, beaming, turned her attention to

carrying across the room. "You have

s turne

ectation. What would the

led out the only thing I had lef

silver com

holding it out. "Hap

at the compass.

a strange note in his voic

bered. S