n without a knock, hitting

cashmere sweater he'd flown in, his hair slightly disheveled, his jaw tight with e

is eyes scanning her

r from her cheek. It was a familiar, almost automatic gest

led, a sharp, involuntary step back that sent her spi

hand froz

in his eyes replaced by a familiar,

ed to say, her voi

s voice dropping an octave

the vast, cold space of the bedroom. She needed distance. She needed ai

ms around her waist. It was a defensive

divorce,

he air between them

hen, a short, humorless laugh escaped

ossing it onto a chair. "We've been through this, Chloe. You don't

aid, her voice gaining a sliv

scending arrogance. "You have nothing. Our prenup is a fortress. You signed it. You would w

was about money.

ad altered it moments ago in the bathroom, her hands shaking so badly she could barely grip her pen. The receipt from her clini

ed. It fluttered and la

asked, his voice l

confusion, and then to a stark, chilling stillness. Chloe watched the color drain from his

into hers. They were no longer just cold

hloe?" he bit out, his vo

receipt," she said, her voice a frozen calm she didn't f

te. It was so complete she could hea

heavy breaths. His gaze was locked on he

e paper in half, and then in half again, the pi

His hands clamped down on her shoulders, his fingers diggin

ittle flecked her cheek. "You had no right. That was my c

y a surge of adrenaline. "I will not bring a

the final trigger. A dark, pred

s hitting the edge of the mattress, and she fell onto the bed. Her

e?" he sneered, the word dripping with venom. "You think

You don't get to leave. You get to stay here and live with what

He yanked it open, then slammed it shut with

, her entire b

sound of a key turning in the lock fr

locked

s a pr

ed door, and for the first time, a single, hot te