d on his arm. "It's not their fault. Please. It's me. My s

to weigh his options. Finally, he lowered his phone with a frustrated sigh. She saw him typ

crackers arrived. Halle could have cried with relief. She

New York's elite. As they entered, a sea of calculating eyes turned their way. Halle's goal was to find

was pulled away, he stopped at a passing waiter's tray, picked up

ould hear. His eyes held a warning. It wasn't about her nutr

tracted, she walked to a quiet corner and discreetly dropped the cloyingly sweet past

, she scanned th

sation with Damien's younger sister, Jul

le love that had ended when he'd chosen a wealthier woman for the sake of his career. She hadn't seen him in y

e her way to the buffet table. She filled a small plate with slic

dripping with disdain. Halle didn't have to look to know who it

n. "What does he even see in her

cruel laught

aking sure Halle could hear. "It's last season's Dior. Tries

elon, her expression serene.

whispered conspiratorially. "I heard he's... you know.

still and cold. They could insult her. They could mock her clothes,

rate bite of a strawberry, and savored its sweetness. She picked up

passing tray and turned, a calm, pleasant smi

faces a mixture of surprise and smug, defiant challenge. They