e leaned in, her voice so low it was barely a breath a

ered. He spun around, his eyes boring into hers, searching for any hint of a lie. He found only a

nd, a flicker of the old, protective Jul

rivals. You could use this. Think of it as an opportunity to damage Lawson." She was even willing t

appointment. "So that's what this is," he said, his voice quiet

, stepped outside for air, their cheerful chatter dying as they took in the scene: Mrs. Lawson, looking distraught, clutchi

ll her hand back, but Julian's fingers suddenly cl

of intimacy for the watching eyes. "You want my help? Fine." Then, he raised his vo

the impact of a grenade. The guests' faces re

, is th

childhood sweethearts. It

der Aloysius Lawson'

lt stripped bare, her private agony turned into a public spec

unfold. He remained perfectly still, his face impassive. He looked like a king observing a distasteful

nd's cold indifference. It was a three-pronge

, but he was also burning the bridge between them. He was using public shame t

her entire body. It wasn't from the cold. It wa

terrace, a look of undisguised, venomous glee on her face

r wrist, stepping back as

s voice once again cool and detached. He turned and melted back into t