At Miles’s insistence, I stay home for another two days before inactivity drives me to actual madness and I insist on returning to work. As soon as I step foot in the headquarters, the other workers and volunteers bombard me with questions and well wishes. I’ve been missed, it seems, even though I
“You didn’t hear it from me,” she says. “I swear,” I tell her and cross my heart. I wait for her to leave, then I gather my thoughts. The more I think about it, the more annoyed I get, until I’m so frustrated that I stand from my desk and march into Miles’s office. Miles is on the phone when
Hearing Edward’s voice in my ear sends me back to the orphanage, when I would hide, while Edward would search through me throughout the house. “Esther! Esther, where are you? Don’t make this harder than it needs to be, princess. This man will treat you nicely, you’ll see. It won’t be like the last
God, I hate him. “I want to talk to Daphne,” I say. “Daphne?” “His wife,” I say. “You think she knows something?” “She knows the same that I do,” I tell him. Miles understands right away. “She was there too. God on earth, why would she marry him?” “That’s one of the questions I want to
The next night, I sit around my dining room table with Hugo and Miles. Hugo has a notepad and a manila folder filled with his own research. Miles has his chair moved closer to mine, his hand within reach at any time. We’ve already talked about what to expect from tonight. Mentally, I’ve tried to p
“It’s alright,” Miles says. “You are doing well.” He reaches his hand out across the table, but he doesn’t grab for mine. I’m not ready to be touched just yet, not while I’m telling this story. I don’t want any memories of touching Miles to intersect with the memories of the orphanage. “Would you
Esther was upset for a few days after. She put on a brave face for the world, acting like everything was fine. She’s a tough woman, even when she doesn’t need to be. Like when she’s with Miles. Yet even with him, she says that she’s fine, or that she just needs some distraction. She’ll claim to le
Edward Zimmer stands near the fountain, holding high his flute of champagne. He has a sea of supporters around him, hanging on his every word. “It seems as if most of your supporters are hanging out on this side of the room,” Crystal says from beside Miles, pointing him toward the side opposite t