ided her Porsche down the long, gravel driveway. She had just come from a preliminar

ain and got out of the car. Somethi

he saw

ive, custom-made Louis Vuitton trunks up

e stone. The butler, Mr. Davies, met her at the door, his face a mask of

gh the marble foyer and in

r. He was speaking in a low, soothing v

eps made him turn. The

y tear-streaked. She was wearing a cream-colored ca

ungs in a rush. A roarin

ave a little gasp and shrank back, t

wife. His expression was cold, d

avy. "What," she said, her voice trembling with a rage

at was anything but. "She's staying here," he announced, his voice flat

rom reality, that for a moment, Eleanor could only star

or," he corrected her, his voice devoid

hey stripped her of any claim, any power, any

n Julian's sleeve. "Julian, maybe I should go," she whispered,

own, his touch gentle and reassuring. "Don't be ridi

lic act of choosing, shattered

she snarled, pointing a s

of the wheelchair, shielding Seraphina w

flashing with anger. "Don't act lik

"I'm the shrew? You bring your mistress into our

hot back, his logic impenetrable, his convicti

pletely blinded by lies, and the naus

er mouth, a desperate attempt to keep from b

isted in disgust. He thought it was an

he said, his voice dripping with contem

leaving her cold and trembling. Her eyes, burning wit

breath and strai

e said, her voice

her head held high. She would get her things, Sh