The Rejected Burden: Rising From The Shadows

d to use both hands to push it open. As soon as the seal broke, the m

moved through the crowd with sparklers attached to magnum bott

tching the small gift bag containing t

over the music, pointing to

the world. His shirt was unbuttoned at the top, his hair perfectly

at treacherous leap ag

w who he wa

on the couch in front of him. All Isadora could see was a cascade of

a guy named Topher, yelled. "

w her. It was the same smile he had given

mping down from the ba

ght he was going to hug her. But he stopped a few f

black ve

re

e club faded into a dull roar. He had it. He had the bracelet. He was holding i

id, his eyes gleaming. "I've be

her eyes. She took a step

ger. He turned back to the blonde woma

ood up and t

Bella S

ora wasn't-tall, statuesque, with a face that was beautiful in a sharp, predator

Isadora. It didn

or Bella's hand. He pulled her to his side,

bag heavy in her hand. Her br

booming over the music. The DJ lowere

with a look of adoration Isadora had never seen directed at herself.

d from the ceiling. Strips of gold paper rained down,

ed the black

celet. The diamonds caught the s

Grafton took Bella's wrist. He

ic

sadora, it sounded like a gu

t. She looked at Isadora, her eyes glittering with malice. "Oh, hi

whispered. The wor

f champagne and poured it into a tower of glasses

so hard champagne sloshed over her fingers. "It's a double cel

answer. He turned back to Bel

e twisted in rage. "Grafton,

ist. Her grip was iron-h

Isa

f emotion. She couldn't let them see.

ti tangled in her hair. She looked at the bracelet on Bella's

rist toward Isadora's face. "The salesman said it

oat felt like it was full of

ind, resting his chin on her shoulder. He looke

y for me, Izzy," he s

he thought it might snap. She forced the corners of her m

st," sh