Reclaiming My Stolen Life

he room service carts were emptied. Without a second thought, she upended the small trash can from her suite int

asped. "Ma'am! You dropped s

each in and re

e said, her voice devoid

woman insisted, looking at

id, looking past the woman,

ost exclusive hotel. The ballroom was a fantasy of white roses and crystal chandeliers. Guests

sipping champagne. "To have a man love you that deeply.

ne just

was late. Just as the whispers starte

moring, their flashes firing. In the center of

ed!" one journalist shouted, mist

jelica to Catherine, her expression a mixture of conf

man who tried to kill me, who stole my husband

nce and grace. "Catherine, happy birthday. I'm

had finally appeared at Anjel

, his voice loud and clear. "You're a

atherine, don't make a scene," her mother

yone was staring. The pity, the morbid curiosity, the whispered specul

sorry," she whispered, loud enough for everyone to hear. "I shouldn't have co

't feel the box, couldn't feel anything b

ening, clapped her hands together. "

or a distraction,

erruption, took a deep brea

nside was another diamond ring.

to the room. "The other one... wasn't quite

her finger. It

th false sincerity, "will only ever belong

erupted i

She felt nothing. What did "one and

cake! Make a wish

cake, blazing with candles, w

he leaned forward, took a de

that seemed to cut through the darkness, "that all

out the

e back on, Anjelica was staring at her, her face ashen. She unders

ad been resting on he

her mother admonished, her

father commanded. "Don't