Chapter 120

Madison

I wandered over to the railing, clutching my purse like it contained state secrets instead of my lip gloss and phone. The city skyline sparkled across the water, Manhattan’s lights reflecting on the Hudson’s dark surface like scattered diamonds. It was beautiful, but I wasn’t in the mood to appreciate it.

Where had Alexander disappeared to with Leo?

Behind me, laughter erupted from a group of women whose collective jewelry could probably fund my mother’s medical bills for a decade. A silver-haired man in a tuxedo was telling some story that had them all in stitches. Everyone seemed to be having the time of their lives while I stood alone, feeling like an imposter in a world I didn’t belong in.

A couple swayed to the string quartet’s music, the woman’s red gown flowing around her like liquid fire. Another pair in the corner was “discussing business” with their faces about two inches apart. Sure, business—the kind that ends up horizontal.