ssful surgery, Holly began to di

her life before him. A faded photograph of her and her mother at a county fair. A handful of seashells from a family vacation. And a por

nguarded expression on his face. "You're talented," he'd said, his voice quiet. A week later, he'd presented her with a state-

ort your passion," he'd said. "In fact, I bought that girl a tablet to try out. I wanted to see if it was the right model be

ling it with tape. This, she was taking. The tablet, she le

ven it to her on what would have been her parents' anniversary. She'd been crying, and he'd placed

ida had gushed to his grandmother. "He had this custom-made for me, from a photo of my parents." Holly had felt the blood d

olished it, and placed it back in its velvet-lined case. She was preparing them for return.

ary. Jaida was sitting in his large leather armchair, a book open in her lap. But she wa

d without looking up. "He thinks it's too dark in he

be in a better mood. He spoke of a new b

weeks," he said, looking at his niece.

as if suddenly remem

at, "I've arranged for the final payment to yo

e garbage had been taken out. A task completed. The singl

ultimate

ut she managed a small,

ida cornered her

he said, her voice deceptively sw

It's a special skin cream. But my skin is too sensitive. You can have it. I

f thick, white cream. A bleaching cream,

face. She understood. This was

s into the cream. It

ly rubbed the cream onto the back of her hand, right over a small, pale scar. "Thank you for the offer, Jaida,

ion of Jaida's cruelty. The physical pain was a welcome distraction. With ev