than the house she grew up in. The silence was a balm after the intensity of the surgery.
n unknown num
o'clock. Finn will pick you
duty headphones over her ears, and cranked up a thrash metal band to a volume that made the windows vibrate. T
e doorbell chimed. Aria, lost
he button again and again. After five minutes
nswering, Mr
tight with impatience. "Then get the b
f the living room, eyes closed, head bobbing gently to the deafen
He took a tentative step forward
sudden silence ringing in her ears. She looked at Finn with
at his watch, then mimed
ortune in couture gowns. She ignored them all, pulling out a simple, high‑necked black dress
trance, his face a thundercloud of irritation. His eyes flickered over her simple dress with disapproval, but he said nothing. He simply
oom when Theodore Sterling Sr. mounted the
have a particularly joyous announcement to make. I am thrilled to officially welcome Miss
ix on Aria. She felt the weight of their gazes-shock, envy, outright disbelief.
Never hea
mute. From some
lian Sterling
pinned under the microscope of high so
a champagne flute in hand. She looped her arm through
et engaged and don't e
childhood friend and the woman ever
n, completely ignoring Aria. Then she turned, her eyes sweeping o
weetness. "It's so lovely to meet you. It must be so difficul
ew her hand from Julian's arm and turned to head tow
ound Aria's wrist in a surprisingly strong grip. The
her voice a venomous whisper. "We'
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