the awning, he

r face. She took a deep breath, the frigid air b

her, splashing mud onto the hem of her coat. S

," she said, her v

ed out the blurry window, watching

wly changing. The sorrow dissipate

ar stopped in front of a hi

ctly to the top floor. The doors o

ivorce papers from her bag and threw it o

to the huge w

g neatly. Mrs. Moran's wardrobe. The wa

em, a sour feeling

right past her on his way home from work late at night. When he introduce

e ye

she could me

really

st the metal bar. She reached deep inside, rummaging

g of clothes. Older

sequined slip dress clung to her

ersity. She had fantasized about wearing it

and let them fall to the ground. Th

ront of the

eyeliner and draw a sharp line. Pick up a matt

pair of bla

ook at yoursel

dangerous. She seemed like someone

in the mirror. A chill

r off at a Michelin three-star

slightly when she saw her shimmering skirt, but

Romero." He used

ant to a private room at the back, where

e was sitting there motionl

ne tab

p wrinkle on

r bare chest, along the silver sequins clinging to her skin. His pup

e crossed her legs. Her feet brushed lig

ghtly and pulle

and poured some frot

g silence. A pervasiv

he leather menus and

enu shut and looke

e-Cont

ttle in the cellar. A

ly nodded curtly and dismissively

ey were small and delicate, bu

k on the porcelain plate. Th

next month." His voice broke the tension. H

reaching for the water

. Her heart began pound

ld blue eyes. "When di

d at her, ex

ter my grandfa

as sucked out. Her sto

n who had ever been kind to her. Hayden squeezed her hand-the only time in three years that he had touched her without h

ut that was

e. Indifference. Hasty pa

he deceased's will. A tool he used to secure his inheritan

of blood. She refused to let the tears fall. She

d the priceless red

g it or smelling it, she tilted her head back

he throat, temporar

on the table. The sound of the cr

her voice dripping with venom. "I hope t

out of the private room. "Excus

h heels clattering aggressi

athroom door and locked m

gasped for breath. Her chest heaved violently

rying. But tears kept flowing, mixing with the black of her mascara as they streamed do

given? She

very time I shielded him from difficulties at a dinner party. Every time I pra

ve her a se

im, and she was instantly smitten. Back then, she was young, believing that hard wo

an iceberg. There's n

outh, her dignity, every v

I received

actually tou

ingers were shaking so badly that she dr

Leo Finch, Hayden's

ered after two ri

Her forehead pressed against the cold tiles. "Book a first-class

ntleman didn'

with menace. "Use his company credit card. Do it now.

ithout waitin

I turned on the cold water

a deep breath. Smooth your facial exp

The edges are as

rant. My back was straight. My head was held high. I walked b