You’ve made enough of a scene for one day.”

Gemma could not look at me.

She kept her eyes fixed on the floor, her face turned away, silent.

And I understood that her silence was the last thing she would ever give me, and that it was worth nothing.

I did not scream.

I did not cry, not there, not in front of those gossiping guests.

I turned on my heel and walked back toward the heavy exit doors, my ruined gown whispering across the marble, and I promised myself I would fall apart somewhere they could not watch.

Chapter 7 — Dr. Miller