Divorce, Rebirth, and Sweet Success

rt walks around the hospital garden. As

casual but expensive-looking loun

oice soft. "I was hoping I'

ld she possibly want to

moment, the scent of r

ia. "You know, August and I met in college. He was the

g her poetry, of them studying late in the library, of a shar

written me a poem. He often forgot my birthday. He

e laugh, as if dismissing the depth of their

s wasn't a friendly chat. It was a victory la

lready filed for divorce. What you an

leave. I had

her grip surprisingly strong

her. We both crashed into the decorati

away. I thrashed, my arms flailing. I cou

Without a moment's hesitation, he dove in and pulled Heidi int

, screaming, "Aunt Heidi!"

croak. I clawed at the slippery edge

ed at me. His eyes were cold, filled with accus

e cold and the shock.

contorted with rage. "You're ju

but Kadin blocked her way. "Stay

nto a million pieces. My own son, wishing me dead. The last of my

y hospital bed. The room was em

me to drown and hadn't even both

t. The abs

d the first flight out of D.C.

as confirming the bo

oice laced with suspicion. He must have seen the book

nce hung between us before th

behind his leg, both of them lo

, stepping into the room. "What is