twice before so

ustine's low, clipped tone. It was a wo

you looking

hite around the phone

ca C

ound of running water - a shower - and then A

imacy meant for Eve to hear. "It's just your little wife. I

Auggie's a bit tied up right now. Is there anything I

thing I can

shing blow: every ounce of Eve's dignity, every shred of her sel

as not a sob, not a scream. It w

thing inside her

e startlingly calm and clear

could reply,

ssive window overlooking the glittering expanse of New

If a relationship brings you nothing but pai

no reas

a quiet vow. The decision settled i

ndow and walked into t

cases from the back of th

. Everything else - the furniture, the art, every mouthful of air she breathed

ing ring. If the marriage was over, the ri

es, methodically dismantli

ook around the cold, beautiful apartme

rel

sewhere for a while," she said, her voice

n Mrs. Davis's voice, soft with an emotion E

her and walked out of the pent

id shut, sealing her off

e was only j