d after leaving the part

the window, and systematically went through her phone. Kirk, J

methodical ritua

side of town. The room smelled of stale smoke an

She let it go to voicemail. A few minutes later, a

ict

y on his chest, a large diamond ring sparkling on her finger. A ring Holly recognized

photo read: He's all m

attered her. Now, she felt a strange, hollow calm. It was j

a one-wo

atula

ocked that

d college professor, Dr. Crane. He was the one who had written h

kind. "I was wondering when I'd hear from y

e said, her voice thick. "

But you don't sound wond

ything. Not the ugly details. Just the broad strokes. The

s for details. "That man... I never trusted his inten

rk had been charming. Everyone

ords tasting strange and new on her

it settled

library after a difficult phone call from the hospital. He hadn't said a word. He just sat next to her and

. It wasn't the loss of him that hurt. It was that he had given her a glimpse of kindness, only to snatch it away and prov

the flickering, unreliable Wi-Fi, she built the blueprint for her next life, researching advanced rehabilitation centers near the university campus,

ast time. To get her box of memories,

d. The house was dark and silent. She moved quickl

n she saw a light on in his study. Her heart

pulled her t

an empty bottle of scotch beside him.

s the ledger. The black leather boo

e could burn it. Destroy the record of her h

trophy of her shame; it was an invoice. A debt she

he stirred. His eyes f

the name a soft, blurr

, his hand fum

l, her bag in one hand,

last, dying ember of a hope s

g face and felt nothing. Not pity. No

," she whispered

out, closing the doo