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ready, petite soeur.”
    It was a piece of advice she had heard so many times she wanted to run away screaming when the phrase was uttered. It made her feel helpless. The Dubois women were not people who waited around for things to happen.
    “I know, Aurelie, I really do, none of this was my fault and there was nothing I could do to prevent what’s happened. I’ve read the books and attended the meetings. I get it.”
    “I realize this is hard for you Oceane, but you’re not alone, he knows he has me, Maman and Pere. We worry about you. Since things went south you are like a shadow of who you used to be.”
    “He’s monautre moite , my other half, I can’t be okay if he isn’t.”
    “Sweetheart, you may have to be.”
    The sadness laced in her sister’s voice settled onto her chest like a weight.
    The last thing she wanted to be was a burden. Her behavior had undergone a radical change, but what she allowed her friends and family to see was nothing compared to what she felt inside. Colors seemed muted with her love gone, food tasted less favorable and loneliness dogged her at every step.
    “I’m sorry I called you like this, I know it’s late and you have to be in the office early.”
    “You know I’m always here whenever you need me.”
    “I know, Aurelie. I love you.”
    “I love you, too, petite soeur. Now get some rest.”
    “I will, Aur, good night.”
    “Night.”
    Alone in her bed, O lay back watching the dancing shadows the flickering candles cast on the wall. The scent of lavender and vanilla weren’t enough to chase away her stress this time. She pulled the navy blue blanket with white stars closer to her body, easing down to lay on her back. Her only consolation was the knowing he was at home working feverishly on music in his apartment. Oceane rolled on to her side, reaching inside the drawer for the velvet case she kept in her nightstand.
    It opened smoothly and she eyed the white gold band adorned with white diamonds. At the heart of the ring was a large pink diamond surrounded by a cluster of white. Pink was her favorite color, and the ring had a jen ne sasi quoi that made you think of eternal love and days gone by. It was the perfect design for her and what she thought would be a start to a life as man and wife. She placed the band on her left ring finger and twisting it around as her brain raced. Perhaps Aur was right; maybe it was time to take a step back from the situation.
    She balked at the idea, but her heart was often known to cloud her vision. She took after her free-spirited mother whom her father had met when she was a singer in a jazz club. Aurelie was a miniature of their Father with her mind for business, strong angular jaw and French temperament. This placed the girls on opposite ends of the spectrum; fortunately, they balanced each other out. With only a year between them the ying yang effect had made them extremely close.
    Even with their closeness, Aur didn’t understand the depths of her depression since she and Maxim separated. He was the one person other than her Mother who didn’t judge her for the life she led. Her father owned a very successful firm and didn’t understand why his youngest daughter had no desire to follow in his footsteps. Never mind the fact that their mother had been a jazz singer when they met.
    Maxim always made a point of being a shield when they were with family. He used his charm and light-hearted words to steer the serious conversation away from her. She’d grown attached to that. They’d both been outcasts in their own family when they met. It had been one of the reasons that created an almost instant bond between them as they become their own family.  It was this connection she missed most. She rose from the bed, wrapping the blankets around her as she went to sit on her window seat and stare out into the night. Sleep would be a long time coming tonight.
     
    ****
     
    Aurelie leaned back at her desk unable to concentrate on the H.R.