endured Zoey's petty perfor

ed deep in her heart. However, that feeling had faded, and she no longer wanted t

walked straight past the two of them and made her

her arm. Darren's fingers tightened around her wris

etending otherwise?" Darren asked, and his voic

" Millie lifted her gaze to meet his. Although her tone re

s nothing like the woman he once knew, and it

face into something fragile. "Millie, we may not be close, but we are sti

ainted? I am acquainted with the stray dog that lingers at the corner of the

rows, and the shift in her tone un

nd she quickly looked to him for

ped in and silenced her. "He is not d

eneath him. That pause was all she needed. She tore her arm free from his g

skin lingered against his palm. As her figure grew smaller in the dista

instant he appeared, whether to argue or to plead,

ailed? Maybe she is pretending not to care so that you will chase her." Zo

ide him. "Brice, take Miss Murray home." His tone was clipped and de

t to push the door open. Suddenly, he seized her again, pressed her back against th

nst her, Millie stiffened, and her

ed toward the door. "Do you want

her face. "So Brice called me because you told him to, a

met her stare head-on. "I did it be

to use Morgan Group as leverage so I will surrender?" Millie asked. "If that is

it toward her cheek. Before his fingers could reach her, Milli

e had long since disappeared. Even after their wedding, she had never spoken to him w

ened. "Good," he said at last. "I am cu

stepped back a

remained there, forcing her breathing to slow until her pulse no longer raced. Once she gathered enough strength, she straightened up, turned the handle, and stepped into t

ub

.

s side. Only then did she learn the full truth, because he had been drinking day after day just to

e remain admitted, and she also made up her mind that she

er he did not want her involved, she would not retreat, and he

he said, "Ms. Morgan, this file contains detailed information about Mr. James, the client we are scheduled to meet tonight. Mr. Morgan has spoken

I am aware of the situation," she replied calmly. "Convincing anyone to step fo

easured the depth of the crisis and braced

de their way down the hallway toward t

mposure settled over her features, and a polished smile replaced the tension

the long table sat the man she had come to see, Walter Ja

tte between his fingers as smoke curled upward. Recognition s

omach tightened, and a chill