Chapter 28: Chapter 29: A New Alice

Alice ate supper alone, Rose already gone by the time she went downstairs again, Betty locked in her office. But Alice didn't mind. She felt content, calm, in balance. The happiest she'd ever felt.Sleep came easily, peacefully, pulling her down into a quiet and refreshing darkness.

When she woke the next morning, it was to a bundle of fresh energy and eagerness to meet the day.

A glance at her cheek in the mirror told her she'd been mistaken about Aunt Christine's claw marks. Her face was untouched. As a matter of fact, the hand full of red blemishes she'd tried to cover with concealer yesterday had vanished completely. Her dose of mascara went on flawlessly, thickening her lashes so much Alice fluttered them a few times just to admire them.