The Day I Vanished

ords hung in t

ian cancer, Amel

red at the polished de

cold, hard thing. It

gan donation. I want t

carefully neutral. "We can discuss treat

all, final gesture. "No.

n end. Maybe a

t cut through the

riend, vibrant, laughing, her

es crinkling at the corners when he smile

e three of them, ins

haos. Screams. The p

, shielding her. Liv'

, g

ce a mask of cold

ecause of you." His v

erful, ruthless. And A

on a cheap, com

presence. The St. Regis.

ce was as cold as E

ural firm. A firm Ethan's compa

t, bitter

d black dress. It hung lo

buzzed with mo

king in his domain. Jessica Van

ss. "Amy, darling. So good of you to make it.

ept over Amy, c

arrying. "Mr. Albright. He's... particular. Needs a certa

ight's reputa

signed to demea

. The cancer, a gna

"Of course,

andering hands and suggestive remarks, her

left her dizzy, a burn

red his

licker of something unreadabl

d her. Mr. Davies, hea

Either way, you have grit. My company could use someon

pe. A l

ull. "Thank you, Mr. Davies.

ife for hers. This suf

a hint of pity in his

her rundown apartment bu

couldn't reach t

fingers digging in. "Wha

his breath smelling

ered me

nd

ecli

ssed his face. Ang

arsh, brutal. A punis

e brick wall, the rough

, his voice raw. "Making me see yo

e of nausea. S

to, Ethan." Her voice

Jessica's name fla

is face closing off. "Don't

, answering the call. "Je

he wall as his

she barely made it to the b

water. Red. Like Li

ld tiles, the pain a

er penance

es, accepting it.

be a release