e wanted to keep, Estella sat in the cab for several minu
frozen cards, the family humiliations, and Alden's
family talks about you like you're a defective stock portfolio? Estella, I sw
a let out a tired laugh
you're stayi
used, and by the end of the call, she had already
her and her boxes still half-unpacked, Estella
e lasted
is face was a thundercloud. He had obv
e up. He call
re's a family emergency.
ergency" were a hook she couldn't completely ignore.
grabbed her wrist and pu
she asked coldly, "W
." His answer was flawless, but Estella knew it was
ed up. Rain began to pour down, hammering against the
er. The conversation was urgent, something abo
ore impatient. He tapped his finge
p turn and pulled the car over n
fixed on the road ahead. His
ef. "What? You're just leaving m
nt than a sentimental visit to an old man," he said, his voice co
n umbrella. He just discarded her, like a piece
Any last question she might hav
n and stepped out into the freezing downp
ccelerated instantly, disappe
bone. Cold rainwater streamed down her hair and i
ll a cab, only to find the scre
creen for a moment, then
k. Not even d
clean, cla
amily emergency, dragged her halfway across the city, and then dumped her
ance of it made
here would never be consequences. For three years, the entire world had
g one of the things e
rance and wiped the rain from he
ould get he
ould reme
und herself and started walking toward
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