the penthouse, revealing a space that fel

gainst the afternoon sky. Sunlight flooded the open-plan living area, bouncing off pale oak floors, sleek white cabinetry, and minimalist furniture in

efore the wedding, using the proceeds from her first major freelance commission under the

dy deposited her single suitcase in the entryway and left discreetly. For the first time in t

er trench coat over the back of a bar stool. The silence was beautiful, no echoing

o

ater from the built-in dispenser, and simply stood there for a long

e office, her real studio. Inside: dual curved monitors, a large drafting tablet, shelves of architecture journals and materi

e Elara Voss

mid-design when she married, others developed sporadically during stolen late nights in the mansion study. All under the alias that had already begun to whis

es and scrolled to a group chat labeled Old Guard. The last message was fr

red over the key

back

hit

tes, the ch

ELYN? Holy hell. T

w partner at a rival firm):

tor): I knew you couldn't stay

piration for the alias, a mentor fro

ime in months. She typed quick replies, pro

itations addressed to Elara Voss, private commission inquiries routed through blind

by date and be

ttee: Thank you for the continued interest. Ela

r months: I'm available for discussion. Please route t

ce speculated wildly about Elara's

hours, reclaiming grou

avorite Thai place, green curry and mango sticky rice, the meal she used to crave dur

ng her few clothes in the walk-in closet, placed her mother's jewelry in a small

ond earrings Alexander had gifted out of ob

lara Voss had never stopped; if anything, the prolonged silence had only heightened the mystique. People debated wh

the windows as dusk settled, the cit

how loud the

rned caution the hard way

lled the one person who had

on the second ring, warm with surprise

while she was still winning student awards. They had collaborated on a thesis project that cau

simply. Divorce

n: Good. The world's b

d softly.

My treat. I want to hear ever

s or pe

you'll

andsome, and uncomplicated in his admirati

e agreed. Ei

years ago and confirmed the new accounts were ready: trusts, holding companies, inte

urned to the studio and op

d lines became a soaring mixed-use tower with cascading green terraces. Notes flowed besid

e j

d the one connection more im

fway across the world, where a trusted nanny

s chorused, fac

ng a single reckless night with Alexander before the arranged marriage, hidden to protect

hair, and a frightening amou

s pricking. Mommy's in our new ho

n the background,

ntion involving magnets, and bedtime stories. Evel

she stayed on the call a moment longer with th

dark, and the penthou

ndow once more, arms w

aurants filling, theaters lighting up,

one of t

r

lerate. Allies would rally. Projects would laun

onged only to her, Evelyn Harper allowed hersel

ible wife

architect

eally saw her Alexander Knight would