in years. She applied her makeup with a steady hand, a flawless mask hiding the dark circle

offee and scanning the financial news as if nothing had happened. He loo

slid a document across the polished wood. Elliott glanced at it, his smile freez

?" His voice dropped, laced

rms. Her eyes met his without a flicker of war

table as if it were trash. "Chloe, stop this nonsense. Is this because I did

shout. "I've already signed it," Chloe said, her voice flat and devoid of emotion

ng cruelty. "Leave me? Leave the Santana family? Chloe, what will you live on? That pathetic little design job of yours?" His words were meant

ined unchanged. She met his gaze without flinching.

ped it to shreds. The torn pieces drifted to the floor, scattering across

e floor. She slowly stood up, not even giving him a second

is, Chloe!" he ro

e didn't turn around. "I already do," she said, h

hut, sealing her off from the house, the mask of strength cracked. She le

. "Chloe! You finally called back! What the hell happened last night? You said you

e. "Iris, I need your h

g three years for this day! Did that bastard finally show his true colors? You wait, I'

re go back to that hellhole," Iris commanded, her words a rapid-fire succession of plans. "My brother has a pent

m in five years, not since he'd left for Europe. But she re

is immediately buzzed through. It contained not just the l

without a single look back. She knew Elliott's contempt and refusal were just the beginning. This

step was to fi