lie

s a blur. Alex' s words echoed in m

tic. Like walki

favor. He had wept with me after my mother' s funeral, holding me all night, promising to be the one person who

he bricks of that f

y knuckles white. The city lights smeared into streaks of neon pain. I felt a pa

harp, metallic taste of blood a grim anchor in t

pills my doctor had prescribed. The chemical calm washed over me slowly

the wooden bird my father had given me. It was

er to pick it up the n

lie! We have a cash offer, full asking price. They want to see the

said. "I' l

shared dreams. They walked through the house, pointing out details

incredible," the woman

er home," the man whisp

I wanted this house to be a place of happiness for someon

d had once sat. I had packed it, but in its place was another small carvi

keep your bird company

it to the woman. "A hou

hted. "Oh, w

isted. "I don' t

nk account. It was a staggering sum. Enough to

bo. I ordered room service, watched old movies, and slept. The quiet in my head was a blessing. I

before my final tr

t some morbid curiosity mad

His voice was sharp, angry. "You

I knew, from the notes I had written to myself, that he was my ex-fiancé. I knew he had betrayed me with the girl my

voice tight with frustration