ut the adrenaline had made her muscles spasm. Her right leg buck

nt was clu

ss partition wa

g stood

of expressions: Shock. Recognition.

ri

was an ac

you doing here? Are

eyes wide with faux-innocence. Archer loom

rawled. "Speak of the

She used the table for support

," she said. Her voice

lding scoffed. "You don't even

rm in a proprietary gesture. "Don't be upset. We were just

husband's sleeve. Then she looked at

all calling me a 'Lame Duck'? Or debating whe

fened. "You w

el said. "You were quite

ng a hand through his hair. "Archer had too muc

dulous laugh. "You sat there and let them hu

ng has been carrying you for five years. He buys you clothes you don't

ook at Archer. Her eyes, usually

d. It wasn't a scre

inked, ta

her," Ariel said. "You're just

his voice dropping to a dangerous

r husband. She rea

se it suited him. If she was the "dropout," the "cripple," then he w

iel said softly. "And you w

r restaurant." Fielding hissed. "Look at Corinna. She's tryin

biting her lip, looking up at F

"Is that what you call sl

restaurant se

mottled red. "That is eno

el said. "I'm lucid. For

arkling water. Fielding flinc

eliberate sip. The bubbles bu

d, placing the glass down with a

looked at

ng about debts," Ariel

ha

ccrue in

astic folder. She tu

g?" Fielding demand

" Arie

s pronounced, her rhythm uneven-step-

the restauran

ent, but for the first time, it di

d Corinna whisper. "Sh

tered. "I'll cut her card of

heavy glass doors and ste

drying the tears she hadn't

n't loo