She Left With Her Child's Ashes

ouse was

nd tossed it toward the housekeeper, missing the man's outstretched hands by a foot. He didn't bother to apologize. A

silver balloons, the ones he had grabbed from the after-party.

voice light. "Daddy's hom

losed. Unusual. Cece always left it open, the

hed it

llows fluffed. The medical equipment-the oxygen tank, the pulse

ted down, brushing against his shoulder. H

m yesterday, a rumpled blouse and dark slacks. Her hands were clasped in h

ace. Her eyes were flat, glassy,

keep his tone casual, but a thread of unea

him like he was a stranger who had

dead,"

in the air, s

om his grip, drifted toward a side table, and struck a brass lamp.

o

lence. Derick flinched. The remai

asked, his voice drop

Her voice was monotone, devoi

Absurd. This was Elinor playing one of her games, puni

in? Just like you did five years ago at the fundraiser? You'll do anything for a

ouched her lips, a terrible, hollow thing. "She di

nd grabbed Elinor by the shoulders, his fingers dig

Elinor. Even for you. Where is she?

t cry out. She just let him hold h

her with one hand, fumbling for his p

nor said. "She's

d at her, the phone forg

lifted the locket. It swung on it

evulsion and disbelief washed over him. This was too far

rembling with rage. "You're using her to

one rang. The screen lit up with a photo

r's expression didn't change. She just sat there,

d the call

rry to bother you, but Kiana has a terrible fever. S

an sitting on the sofa. The choice was instantaneous. The real

ke," Derick said, shoving the phone into

heel and strode

sent to your office,"

around. He wrenched the door open and slammed it behind

numbness that had protected her cracked, and the pain hit her like a ti

dges bit into her palm. She wouldn't brea

r hands shook as she typed into the search bar: P