Mulli

his mistress. The heat was immense, the smoke a choking cloud. Evan stoo

ed at me, then at Candida, who was putting on the perfo

choice was written on his face, a flicker of indecisi

to Ca

t's okay, I've got you," he murmured, his voice a soothing

s, she lifted her head from his shoulder. Through the smoke

ousy. Just a cold, clinical conf

the beautiful, destructive flames, feeling the wa

back, his face streaked with soot and panic. He saw

DOING? GET OUT OF

tbeat. He looked at Candida, safe on the grass, then back at me,

ation was

to the smoke-filled house. He grabbed me, his hands b

s face inches from mine, his e

ted him to leave me there, to make the final, unforgivable choi

to get her out!" he yelled over his shoulder, meaning Candida who

anding moments before Evan moved her. The force of the impact sent a shower of sparks and flaming debris across the room. Evan had alre

, a sound far more agonized t

n an instant. "Candida

etached observer, as he fussed over her. The fire departm

e, Evan never

, unadulterated hatred. He followed the ambulance, leaving me st

oved me as he ran past, knocking me to the ground. It w

manded, as if speakin

axi to the

bandaged, her face pale and tear-stained. Evan was sitting by he

embling. "It's not your fault. And... and don't be angry wit

, she was painting herself

n I walked in. He stood up

u doing here

, isn't it?" I as

ou almost killed yourself! What do you think?" he hissed, k

ng my arm. "You are going to

watching us with wide, innocent eyes, a ti

" I

darkened.

e of reporters and photographers surged in, flas

ou set fire to your husband

wife attacked your intern! Is t

you tried to cau

arded so jealously for five years, was suddenly front-page news. He had spent a fortune scru

on his face. He thought I had done

me for the cameras. "Please, leave us alone," she

lked over to the bed, gently pushed a strand of hair from Candi

as, his arm resting protect

time. Her actions today were... regrettable. Miss Whitaker is the vic

ith ice. "The time for coddling is over. Fr

blicly humiliating me t

over his shoulder, her e

had won. Because my real plan, the one that had been set in

red the shouting reporters. I found a lens, a

rt, I traced the outline of a single, perfect flower with my finge

sent across five

nearest microphone,

name a prayer and a promis

-