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But dear God, that girl was a bitch if she didn’t get a good night’s sleep

My youngest, I fear, is going to be a lot like her auntie

The thought ain, only this time the love is tainted with pain Because Anne will never know my sister For so many years, I’d believed that Ashley had escaped froht that only I reht in her spiderweb, forced to starve and suffer all sorts of abuse at my mother’s hand sieant doll

Cutting had been my ultimate escape A release valve for all the horror and pain that built up inside of hs renderedsuit competition, I finally found my freedom From that particular horror, anyway

Ashley’s escape wasthat she’d failed as a wife—that she would never live up to that idly demanded—she killed herself

Her death ripped a hole in my heart

I’ve missed her for years, but now that I have children, her absence weighs on irls ill never know their aunt And I’m the only one ill ever truly understand the hole Ashley’s absence will leave in their lives

“You okay?” Abby catchesinto one of the upholstered patio chairs

“Fine,” I say, then” I take the chair next to her so that we’re both looking out over the pristine Malibu beach and the crashing waves of the Pacific beyond

We’re at the beachfront cottage Damien built forour stunning hillside house lacked was a back door that opened right onto the sand