The top floor had become Adele Horne's territory on New Year's Eve. Everyone else had their own plans, but she was left with no one to accompany her.
She had lived for twenty-two years, almost twenty-three. In her life, the only person who had ever accompanied her and left a profound impression was Orlando Evans. Thinking of Orlando, a pang of pain tugged at Adele's heart.
At the time of "that incident," she had resented Orlando. After several months, however, her hatred had suddenly dissipated. She felt that everything was her own fault, a result of her ignorance and poor judgment, which had allowed Orlando to use her for revenge. Orlando, too, had ended up with a ruined family and a shattered life because of her. Both of them had received the endings they deserved.
