ning, I conf

g in a remote, underserved communit

are you sure? It's so far, and t

to sound more confident than I

ect cover, the

ered me lat

ne this morning?" he demanded, his

stening, always

s," I said vaguely, turnin

asn't used to me having a

week," he announced, changing the subject ab

after the... procedure. I w

the Vance estate, the place I'd lived

aze lingering on a shelf of my books, a few framed photos. "Any

on was clear:

teenager, filled with earnest, clums

one once,

el, not exactly. J

uncomfortable smile on his face. He'd handed it back as i

heart, had always bee

ity with Cassandra. Appo

," he said. "Cassand

ough the city was where I also nee

nd my own way, a

journey through sprawling su

ouples, people living

e of solitude s

an elderly woman who offered me half h

against the indifference of t

e cottage that evenin

rt tig

it open

the middle of my

ld my grandmother's

nly tangible link to my grandparents, to

e nestled inside. It symbolized

I asked, my voice sh

berate movement. Her expressio

trinkets, Mia. Julian s

in then, drawn

?" he asked, his eyes i

sandra said, her lower lip trembling slightly. "I was j

lian," I said, my voice

tween us, placing a protec

be living here. She's my fiancée. Soon, she'll

ift, absolute. Cassandra

Julian's support, smile

he locket fro

-fashioned, isn'

wrist, as if it were an accident,

he hardw

sickening

rd, but Cassandra stepp

ard the clasp snap, the de

caught in

ket. The clasp was broken, the front dented

is wasn't just a piece of jewelry

rpose!" I choked ou

of mock surprise. "Oh, dear!

he damaged locket, then

re annoyed t

" he said, his voice impatient. "I'

tion. His solutio

rstand. He nev

just an item. It

teady gaze, now damaged, violated by her c

spilled, a torrent

eakdown, his exp

probably "a bit