gh the sheer curtains,

the third day since Elam had left for Lo

ing pressure that usually crushed h

s. She tied her hair into a high ponytail. She looked in

wnstairs to t

rying a bowl of long-life noodles and a smal

iss Jocelyn," Earl

with happy tears. She closed her eyes, clasped her ha

ied, her phone buzzed

internatio

nswered i

ce came through the speaker, slightly d

Thank you, Karson

out school and his sudden trip. T

"Jocelyn, I really miss you

htened around the phone. She didn't know what t

"I tracked the international courier. It shou

n, you shouldn't have. I

ential delivery. Just grab it y

ater, the visual doorbel

ked toward t

"I'll get it, Sterling! It's just

nd stepped back w

n a crisp uniform handed her a sleek, square bo

She hugged the box to her chest, de

ed her foot on the first s

g screech of tires tor

lyn

a halt at the bottom of the steps. The re

ner step

nderous, terrifying rage. He had worked three days straight, sleeping zero ho

lked in t

lutched the box to her chest. The blood drained

the box in her arms. The logo of a high-end Europea

zero. Sterling and the maids instantly bowed their

d. His leather shoes cr

kicked in. She subconsciousl

ture poured gasoline on the

He looked up at her. A smile that did

his large ha

s voice was dead calm. It was the c

led. Tears welled in her eyes. If she gave i

atience

ed around her wrist like a vice. He violently yank

fingers in the struggle

d popp

lace spilled out, glittering blind