An Atonement of Love

ripped Ava from a fit

r father'

ad, the lawyer's voi

ed in his cell," the lawy

ation, proper care they can't provide there. They're talking about transfe

more terrifying than the men

can

him out on bail,"

s health, a judge might consider it. But

ne

came bac

ave, the money Liam be

s life was

d no c

to go ba

ad to

sleek, glass-walled suite on the

new assistant, a sharp-faced woman named Ch

nto the con

its stared at

his face hardened

he commanded, not to he

, rushing to his side bef

. He had a heart attack. H

, ignoring the collective gasps in the

, but please, don't let him die in a prison infirmary. Let him

at her, his expre

she saw a flicker of the old Liam,

as it appeared, replaced by

her by the arm and h

was painf

the time or t

ence room and into the hallway,

e!" she sobbed, stumbl

be dying r

st the wall, his fa

dead!" he hissed, his vo

d he get to die in a comfortable hospital bed

in his voice

own grief, and he saw her an

t his side, placing a

't upset yourself.

she barely knew, and saw a

f pure, unadult

calm slightly a

eyes, when they looked back at

?" he said, his voi

not for y

k towards the conference room, leav

ed at t

event. Be there. Wear the dress I bought you for your birthday. The blue one. Smile

d down, a cruel smi

performance. Be my perfect, devoted fiancée for one last night.

as a

humilia

trophy, a symbol of his victory, while

wait for

to the conference room, leaving h

loser, her smil

him," she s

the least you can do, after ev

collar of Ava's simple blouse, her

rgeous. It will look stunning whe

mare of flashing lig

an automaton, the blue silk of

painful smile, her arm

e perfect couple: the grieving hei

bitter acid

ndolences, accepting handshakes, his expressi

her, his eyes were filled

nearby, always watching

strating this

m's anger, enjoying

a secluded balcony ov

welcome relief from

ell," he said,

er a glass

convincing

sked," Ava said,

touch the

ease. My

is own glass, watchi

something I wa

ket pocket and pulled o

he ri

ing di

pene

d of white satin, was a

nes her mother had saved, bronz

am on their fi

reams, her passio

ng out your things from my apart

rang to

am.

want them

flick of his wrist, tossed

for the railing as i

tumbled through the air, disappearing

er mother, of a life that no longer exist

cry of pure anguish te

could

thing, Ava,"

tionship. It m

was

al, bru

some face she had loved for so

eg flared, white-

ision

cted facade she had w

he words filled with all the pain an

n't de

ed at her, h

left her body

ees bu

ound, the blue silk dr

w moan escaping her lips a

was

f her per

of eve