forcing herself to

bling hand, and waved down a yellow t

t. The worn leather clung

e the driver the address

o streaks of color. Cassidy stared at her reflection i

e prestigious research position she had given up

rough edges of her personality and hidden her talents, all to

e wave of nausea

ramping, and she struggled to suppress t

ly handed the driver a banknote, then got out and stepped onto the sidewalk. Her

r. Cassidy took a deep, trembling breath, forced h

e, she went straight to the huge glass cof

huge bouquet of ninety-

t orders it every year, like clockwork. Co

the thick, expensive wrapping

nd embedded itself deeply in her index finger. A

pain was nothing compared to th

blood flowing out, and yanked the huge bo

ffed the expensive, perfect roses d

less white marble floor, looking like the shattered an

bedroom. She stood in front of the dress

ed the heavy diamond necklace Cornel

top drawer. The diamond struck the

past rows of designer gowns, and pulled an ol

airs of jeans, a few plain sweaters, and an old,

em bearing the unseen la

ase, she took out her phone and di

eepy, hoarse voice came through,

e," Cassidy said. Her

e on the other end of the ph

you say?"

ring at the empty space in the walk

o sud

ts me like an ornament, an object!

and professional. "I'll contact the most ruthless di

handle of her black briefcase and walked ou