A Vicious Love, A Deadly End

lent permission passing between

smile. "My party is at the Grand Oak Hotel.

u to kneel by the entrance, in the rain, and

rching his face for any sign of protest, any flicker of decency. There was none. He was wat

my freedom. This fin

ng like a burden. I would not let her sacrifice be in vain. I would en

ord tasting like bile. "But

apitulation. He picked up a pen, and with a flick of his wrist, hi

d. "You can have it after

thin, my eyes hollowed out by grief. I put on a simple black dr

tless sheets, just as Karlee had planned. I walked to the grand entrance

w, people who knew me as Alexander Vaughan' s wife. Their eyes widened in shock, then shifted aw

... Addie

is she

have finally th

the dark, wet concrete. My knees were scraped raw. The cold seeped int

I was shivering uncontrollably, and a fever

aise a glass to Karlee, his face lit with a smile. They were celebrating, while

ing in protest. I was dizzy, my vision swimming. I walked into the

ee clinging to his arm. She was wear

ce laced with something that might have b

I said, my t

She pointed to a small, delicate silver neck

hing Cathi had made, a simple charm she' d d

a raw tear in my throat.

d. "Addie. Don' t be dif

leaded, looking at him. "Pl

ed. "Give.

er, my dignity, and now this last, precious piece of

who beamed. Then, he pulled the signed divorce

like nothing but

arlee' s voice, drippin

ed me to save her. Cried on

cruel twist of the knife. B