Steven shook his head, his hand warm on my shoulder. “Maybe this is her way of reaching out, Rebecca. You’ve always wanted closure. Maybe this is the door opening just a crack.” I hated that he was right. I wanted to be seen. I wanted, foolishly, to be family. When Lorie heard about the party,…
“Mom,” Lorie whispered, clutching my hand as we walked in. “It looks like a movie.” “Stay close,” I reminded her, my anxiety spiking. Inside, the hall was a cavern of blue light and crystal. Chandeliers hung like frozen explosions. Models in silk drifted through the crowd like ghosts. And in the center of it all…
I guided Lorie toward the refreshment table, hoping a chocolate biscuit would distract her from the cold reception. The room buzzed with the hum of expensive conversation. Vanessa preened, soaking up the admiration like oxygen. Lorie, entranced by the glitter, wandered a few steps toward a display. It was a fragile crystal light fixture, balanced…
But the apology was lost in the click-clack of heels on marble. Vanessa was storming toward us, her silver dress billowing behind her like storm clouds. The crowd parted, not out of respect, but out of the instinctual fear of a predator on the hunt. “What,” Vanessa hissed, her voice vibrating with rage, “is wrong…
My mother, Susan, stepped forward, her face twisted in embarrassment. “I told you, Rebecca. This is what happens when you don’t discipline them. You’ve embarrassed us all.” “You should have left her at home,” my father added, crossing his arms. It felt like I was back in my childhood kitchen, being flayed alive for breathing…
“Stay out of this, Jordan!” she spat, turning on him. “This is about respect! This is about her always ruining everything for me!” She grabbed the broken base of the lamp and held it up like a trophy of victimhood. “Do you see this?” she announced to the room. “This is what happens when people…
PART 1 The millionaire was rejected on a blind date on Christmas Eve, but he was surprised by the kindness of the waitress and fell deeply in love. Before the story begins, tell us in the comments which city you are watching from. And at the end, do not forget to rate this story from…
He had been sitting alone at a table at Bellanade since 8:00, waiting for the blind date his secretary had arranged. Christmas Eve in Chicago was busy: couples laughing and celebrating all around him, while he sat there staring at an empty chair. He tried calling again. Voicemail. Again. Christopher sighed and ran a hand…
“By the way?” Christopher frowned. “Yes. As in, I talk too much and I’m always owing people an apology. My mother says I was born without the ‘stop talking’ button.” Emma shrugged. “But anyway, back to your situation. Did you call this Madison?” “Three times. It went straight to voicemail.” Emma let out a low…
“Ah!” Emma hit the table lightly with her hand. “I knew it. Let me guess more. She wears beige suits, drinks white wine, has a purse that costs more than my car, and loves talking about yoga and networking.” Christopher blinked several times. “How did you—?” “I have a gift.” Emma leaned back proudly. “It’s…