Shattered Heart, Rising Spirit

I told the doorman I was there to pick up the last of

boxes. It felt like shedding a skin I had worn for too long. When I was done, I stood

r's last

e painted it for me a month before she died, her hands shaking but her eyes full of light.

to g

rs opened, Jake was there. And so was Brittany. They were

hardening when he saw me. "W

r arm through Jake's and leaned her head on his shoulder. "Ja

ere on Jake. "I'm here f

g?" He gestured towards the kitchen. "Bri

s an order. The same tone

ened. "Yes, Chloe, be

ay while Jake was on that yacht with this woman. I remembered his phone call, the one where h

my mother' s con

week he cut h

her die because I wouldn

o Jake' s cold one. All the pain and

, my voice dangerous

nd me. All of this. I want my painting