“Shut up! I don’t want to hear from you!” The newspaper crumpled in her fist. “Then Erik Lancaster started paying attention to me.” Aurelia looked on the verge of tears. “He was so sympathetic, kept me company at all the events that Kaine never showed for. He wanted to know all about me. He noticed all the things I did to impress Kaine. He wanted to see the house, how I’d decorated it. He was the one who said I should throw all the parties again so everyone could see how wonderful I was, even if Kaine didn’t. The winter solstice was all his idea. That big guest list. And all the dinner parties. Even the equinox party.”
Aurelia’s voice trailed off and she stared towards the windows for several moments.
“When I heard Kaine had killed Erik, I thought, He’s finally noticed. He was just busy
