Her husband handed her a filthy broom in front of forty guests and said, "Now you can finally fly away from my house."

The following morning, the sun broke brightly over Sedona Springs.

Elise walked up the stone pathway of 412 Maplewood Lane. Beside her walked Piper, carrying a box of heavy-duty cleaning supplies, trash bags, and fresh paint cans.

The house was empty now. The police had escorted Gregory and Catherine’s movers two days ago, ensuring they took only their personal clothing and personal effects.

Elise pushed open the heavy oak front door.

The grand foyer was bare. The pretentious portraits of Catherine were gone, leaving pale squares on the wallpaper. The grand chandelier was turned off, and sunlight streamed through the high windows, illuminating dust motes dancing in the air.

"It feels bigger," Piper said softly, setting her box down on the hardwood floor.

"It feels clean," Elise smiled.

They walked into the grand dining room—the very room where, six days ago, Gregory had handed her a filthy broom and told her to fly away.

Elise walked over to the table where the cake had exploded. The dried frosting was still stuck to the baseboards.

She picked up a brand-new, clean broom from Piper’s box. She didn't hold it with shame or fear. She held it with pride.

She swept away the remaining crumbs, the broken glass fragments that had been missed under the cabinets, and the dust of seven years of emotional imprisonment.

Her phone chimed in her pocket. It was a text message from Naomi:

Naomi: "The District Attorney has officially filed criminal charges against Gregory for grand larceny and loan fraud. Arraignment is set for Monday. Also, the public retraction from Catherine was just submitted to the newspaper."

Elise walked over to the front window and opened it wide. A fresh, cool autumn breeze rushed through the house, blowing away the stale scent of cigar smoke, cheap perfume, and old lies.

She looked out at the front lawn where Catherine’s rose bushes grew.

"Piper," Elise called out.