hting was low and intimate, casting a golden glow on the well-heeled patrons

de over them. He was a known quantity here, a rising star. The maîtr

leasure. Your t

a man who commanded respect. Still, the old insecurity prickled at her skin. Her simple black suit, which had felt so powerful that morni

luded corner booth, he smoothly pulled ou

or her ears only. "You own this r

shield. She felt the tens

f wine when a small stir at the

the world

sucking all the warmth from the room. And on his arm, radiant in a

econd, their eyes met

c, trapped bird. The air thickened, making it h

foug

expression a carefully constru

le touched his lips. He casually stood up, a gesture of polite acknowledgment that was also

m Ismael to Ava. There was shock, disbelief, and a

fact that his wife was dining with another

ards their table, her red dress a slash of color in t

her hand flying to her

, her voice loud enough for the neighboring tabl

nomous. What is a nobody like you doing

e kept her eyes fixed on Isab

require your approval, Isabelle,"

attention to Ismael, her tone shifting to

didn't realize you had time to entertain... well,

few people at the next table stop

y in front of Ava, a subtle, protective gesture. H

ntertaining a competitor's wife." He paused, letting the tension build. "I'm cele

o the silence like st

Risk As

power. A tit

e color drained from her face, leavi

's reaction that

ry in them now raw and untamed. He stared at Ava as if he had never seen her befor

ee the truth. She had a new life. A new car

gh. "Well. Congratulations, Ava. I hope you survive y

d," Ava replied

en turned on his heel and strode towards a private dining room at the ba

and exposed. She shot Ava a look of veno

a shaky breath. The adrenaline began

f grim satisfaction on his fac

charming conversation

water, the cool liqui

said, a strange sense of calm settling over

ed up the script, set it on fire, and dan

glass. "To new beg

crystal cool against her finger

in a very long time, she felt the future opening up be