the hushed interior of a discreet, unmarked office on a

ass walls lined the space, revealing a bustling, silent team of designers and analy

ain console looked up, her expression of intense conce

against the cool metal surface to steady them. She reached into her coat pocket and

the desk. "I'd li

nd opened it. The diamonds glittered under the track lighting, a constellation of

It was the price o

inspect the clarity and the setting. The

ion. Latest collection from Graff. Authenticity v

the necklace, Edith felt like she was carving out

the ground up, waiting to be thrown to the mercy of Giovanni's corporat

whisper. "I need the funds wired immediately. T

er urgency, and began

In its place, the money was already transferring into her business bank acco

phone and called An

'm arranging for a counter-offer to be made to our supplier. Today. T

the sound of the wire transfer

h climbed into a cab outside the building, her company was safely launching a c

over her. She felt hollowed out, but beneath the exhaustion was a t

miss?" the

he said, giving the ad

r design workbooks. She was leaving Giovan

till held the faint scuff marks from her heels the night before

eared from the kitchen. The older wom

said, her voice tight.

thing, Martha," Edith said

g. "Mr. Baldwin is in a terrible mood today. He's

pulling away

bags. She didn't want any of it. She grabbed a single leather portfolio and began filling it with her sketchbo

io shut. The sound was

door sla

h fr

of the bedroom. He threw his overcoat onto a chair, his face like thunde

nto his pocket and pulled out a single,

in the sitting area. It slid across the s

was the intricate design for a couture gown, a signature piece from Lan's

her throat. Her eyes snap

ttle hobby to pass the time?" he asked, his voice dangerously soft. "Did

n't bought a watch back, he had found her most guarded secret. He

r nails bit into the healing cuts o

marriage, she didn't cower. She didn't beg. She

er voice steady. "My work is saf

s eyes was quickly swallowed by a dark, violent rage. He

nds clenching at his sides. "You

olio was packed. Her company was