The Charity Case's Crown

rase him.

urs. Years ago, as teenagers, we had carved our initials into the w

that day. My plan was to scratch our in

e had beat

. In its place, freshly gouged into the wood, was

caught in

sed against the railing, his hands on her waist. They were

expression soured instantly. He left Chloe a

re?" he demanded. "Ar

his arm, playing the part of t

with fake pity. "Anya, I' m so sorry. The park service painted over the bench to cover

logy, her eyes gle

e childish carving, Anya. It meant nothing." He looked at C

ck to me, his voi

e Hamilton house. You will live there under her roof

ne. I looked at the new initials on the bench.

tossed the knife into a nearby trash

ope you get the merger you want. Your p

ay, not looking back a