ing's Manhattan penthouse

e y

ve years. Tomorrow, Octobe

ows, a silhouette against the glittering New

mi

always, was

ing in after the we

. My reflection stared back from th

stay on. As her..

consu

me. To teach her how to be Mrs. Alexander Sterling. How to navigate the c

and sharp, sprea

nment," he continued, oblivious or uncaring. "Yo

efere

ife had revolved aro

o loud music. No un

reenw

e hadn't yelled. He'd simply looked at me, a flicker of something unre

that was for obedience. For being a silent, graceful accessory. Enough to fund

egan, my voice b

expression impatient.

t. To hand over the keys to my gilded cage, wi

suit, the indifferent set of his jaw. The

aid. "No

em of my life was standi

son will arrange the new terms f

to the window

ersation

over. But he envisioned

fo

given me. The fifty thousand dollars from the first year was mostly gone, to Liam's tuition. The subsequent annual payments s

. There was not

eorge who sometimes slipped me

the night, Mr

ust for the nig

iled

. Alexander's contact. I pressed "Block." Then his office

pped it in half, and droppe

small, but it was ours, in a lively part of Broo

his eyes widening wh

hat's

tract's

d across his face.

s "life consultant" proposal. "He

nished. "He wha

atter. I'm no

to a hug. "Good

familiar, slightly messy apartm

er Sterling would

find an e