zine in her lap was open, but she hadn't turned a page in twenty

rs of the private elevator slid

suit, his blond hair perfectly swept back. In his arms, he held

fee table. Her spine snapped straight, her post

nged into a practiced mask of apologetic c

lightly. His lips brushed

He placed the expensive bouquet on the g

t," he started, his voice dripping with smooth reg

rnails dug into her cashmere sleeves. "Where were you, Jul

y styled hair. He looked genuinely str

ed to New Yo

ight into her stomach. The a

dlord," Julian explained quickly, rushing his w

ice rose, sharp and cutting. "Abby Silva? Your ex

bornly. "She has no one else in this city, Colette. S

yes flashed with deep, agonizing hur

directly, her voice trembling. "Because you

t and grabbed her shoulders, his gri

firmly. "I love you. And the Sterling-Beaum

d to find absolute certainty in his gaze. She wa

aotic, muddy mix of guilt, c

s. She took a deliberate step back, r

iating your future wife in public," she tol

ders slumped. "I know. I'm sorry.

e peonies in his face. But her three-year emotional investment, the

She accepted the compromis

ry watch. "I have an urgent board m

alked toward the elevator. He had been in her apartment for less than te

hole. Colette stood alone in the silent living room. H

dal shop to reschedule

stepped back deeper into the shadows. He clenched his fists at his sides, h