briskly down L

blue Citi Bikes parked near the corner. She scanned the QR

ysical movement to burn off the residual a

traffic, a black Lincoln Navigator pulled

hind the tinted glass. She glar

ing scoff. "Look at her. Ridin

tapped the glass partition

the driver laid on the horn. The blaring sound w

n flinch. She did

ear the curb, and kept pedaling. She treated the million-do

ward the edge

felt good. It felt like freedom. She was fina

lly reviewed every clause of the prenupti

ty. No discussing family

e, the massive trust fund would unlock in tw

xury residential buildin

oment to smooth down her wind-blown hair. She adjus

approaching. He immediately pu

" the doorman said, offering

" Cassie replied, giving

arble lobby, heading straight for

levator doors slid open silently. She stepped inside, and

rs opened direct

k Persian rug. Instantly, she was swallowed by th

less like a home and more like a high-end

heels and slid her fe

, her own breathing loud in her ears. She silently recited the names of every desig

As she passed the massive walk-in

door was sl

t her colorful coats, was a dark grey Br

opped instantly. He

ng perfectly aligned on the mat was a pa

went into

furt right now. He was attending a European Mergers and Acquisitions su

dropped. She wasn

She peeked around the corner into t

e he

the floor-to-ceiling wind

s forearms. His posture was rigid, his broad shoulders tense.

hand. He was staring out at the sprawling gree

d. Her mouth was sud

o never spoke. The man who could ru

eat. She would sneak back down the hall, hide

estal. She lost her balance. Her arms flailed out as she stumbled backward,

d the heavy vase, hugging it to her che

of her slipper dragged hard against the polished floor, letting ou

Garrison's shou

y, he turn

blue eyes lock

f a tidal wave. There was no anger in his eyes. There was no surprise. There wa

rozen, still h

ry for how the original Cassie would handle this. The

breath. She forced

inded herself. He is jus

e stood up straight and forced her facial muscles into

rward, breaking the unspoken

aid. Her voice was clear and cheer

It was a microscopic movem

r sudden warmth. He looked at her smile like it w

n't reach for his pho

er for three agoniz

ooking out the window. He dismissed her completely

the middle of

of feeling humiliated, she felt a sp

r hands into fi

d back. Be an iceberg. I'm going to me