d of the corridor, faint sounds of laughter and playful banter drifted out. They wer
rk was beginning to blister-the trace of the be
al voice. Someone had told her t
s trembling slightly. She dialed the number she h
came. "Estella? Do you
t tinged with a sharp edge. A surge of anger wel
ng back finally welled up and she choked out, "
s no gasp of shock, as Estella had anticipated, nor any denial
kissing her. In our bedroom.
oice changed, becoming clear and
d be more mature an
suddenly choking in
sighed, her voice hoarse from the other end of the pho
psed. She sat heavily on the edge of the bed, the mattr
are destined to be together. You've always been just a stepping stone
asting like ashes in her mouth. "You forced
illed your responsibilities to this family. The Lois family needed a marriage all
sforming into a burning, nauseating rage within her. "H
ect, Estella? You have no sense of humor. You have neither Yana's drive nor her be
ed. She could almost feel the sting on h
rad's financial support. Jana needs this marriage to solidify her so
he meals she had cooked, and all the money she had given Doug without hesitation.
"Don't think about anything else. Take whate
fragile laugh. "Do you want me to l
a single day in your life. You should be grateful for anything he can give
ll has
phone. The reflection in her eyes was of a
lp, but her mother's words f
ssing table. The woman in the mirror looked haggard, but
no longer beg, and will
hen leave," she whisp
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