lie

mous in their depths before she quickly regained h

ant, providing professional support during a very trying time. You were in... a difficult situation. Someone had to ensu

aluable. A true professional." He shot Candice a placating look, then turned to me,

ast behind. Look." He led me to the expansive balcony overlooking Central Park. The city lights twinkled

st my ribs, a dull, painful beat. Not again. "Ashlie Hewitt," he began, dropping to one knee amidst the falling snowflakes, the same dramatic gesture he'd made a

, the snow falling, the man on one knee. It was

orate gala, the air thick with tension and champagne. Jasper' s company, 'Quantum Leap Tech,' was on the cusp of its IPO, poised to be

hispers started. Discrepancies. Embezzlement. The words spread l

g on his forehead. Candice, even then, was hoveri

antic whisper. "They found it. The missing funds. The in

ing, the outward-facing image. The financials were Jasper's do

rate. "A mistake in the books. But if I take the blame, the boa

porting numbers for marketing, they'll be lenient. A short sentence, a slap on the wrist. I swear, Ashlie.

g, of him being ruined, that I believed him. I loved him, truly. I b

about it. And Jasper, my charming, brilliant Jasper, had sacrificed his wife to save his assistant, his stock price, and his precious public

Jasper, still on one knee, the diamond sparkling in the artificia

y voice flat, devoid of

n. "Ashlie? What are you saying? I thoug

, stepping back from the railing, the cold air seeping

fix this. We can rebuild. I've waited for

ou let someone else manage your heartbreak. I'm not that woman anymore. I don't believe

to the warmth of the suite. "I'm tired,

followed me. "Ashlie, please.

from the cot I'd slept on for five years. But the comfort felt hollow. Because even in this opulent cage, I was still just a pawn in Jasper Albert's carefully co