at the back of Le Bernardin. The lighting was

ecloth. The color was a garish stain against the refined elegance of the room. It

re a pure white haute couture dress that ma

sion and distaste flashed across her eyes, but

ached her small hand across the tabl

mbling with fake concern. "I was so wor

s. She took a sip, letting her eyes drag slowly and delibera

altered. She tugged nervous

rd asked, her voice tight. "

ows on the table. She lowered her v

a asked. "Don't you like

ew. The Eldridge she knew was a silent protector, a

r cheeks and looked down at h

hed. Ava didn't ev

obster bisque, and the wagyu beef," Ava ordered lou

d. "El, you know I

her off. "Nonsense. Women need to eat m

in Bird's eyes. Her jaw tightened. But then, she

so, El," B

n't love Eldridge. She loved his power. She was willing to swallow any humiliation,

erupted at the entra

at was wrinkled. His hair was a mess from the w

r. His eyes locked onto Ava and B

room, his heels clicking loud

gasp and shrank back in her chair, pressing hersel

med both his hands flat onto the wo

u doing? !" Eldridge

f her mouth. She leaned back in her chair, looking up

va?" Ava asked, her voic

her. "You know exactly what I am doing

ream the truth, to tell B

e reached out and grabbed Eldridge's wrist. Her gri

trying to pull away, but h

rd a reassuring, fake smile. Th

d, making sure every table around them could hear.

lows to the chest. He had never spoken to his wife this way, but hearing tho

protected for years. He expected her to stand up,

elashes. Her voice was a fragile whi

exhausted. You shouldn't push him so hard. I know you

oze in Eldri

ative that "Ava" was crazy, and they publicly declared that Bi

terclass in

nt filter through which Eldridge had viewed

in disgust. She pulled three hundred-dollar bil

o Bird. "This crazy woman

rides long and confident, leaving

was staring at him. He could hear the whispers. He coul

him. The fake fear was gone. A tiny, victorious smirk played on th

Eldridge. His throat tightened. Tears of pure fru

bursting out the front doors and running into t