Chapter 53.

CHAPTER FIFTY-THREE NORA CARUSO The world was bright, it smelled like caramel popcorn, expensive perfume, and air conditioning. For the first time in four days, the crushing weight of the silence didn't feel quite so heavy. "Oh my God, Nora, look at this!" Renata squealed, grabbing my arm and nearly yanking me off my feet. We were standing in front of a window display filled with ridiculous, feathered hats that no sane person would ever wear in public. "It’s hideous, I love it. We have to try them on." I looked at the hats bright neon green with ostrich feathers and a laugh bubbled up in my throat. It was a rusty sound, surprising me. "Renata, you look like a radioactive bird in that." "Exactly!" she beamed, dragging me inside. "That’s the aesthetic. Come on, live a little! You’ve been moping in that room like a Victorian widow for days." I let her pull me in. For the last few hours, I had successfully managed to do the impossible: I had forgotten. Well, not entirely. Nikolai was alway