cruel, brilliant light that stung Arlie's swollen eyes. She i

were cold

creen was dark, empty. No happy birthday text. No

d for

laugh escaped her li

eep. She walked to her dresser and pulled open a drawer, shoving the divorce agreement into th

water, again and again, trying to wash away the tir

Fifth Avenue. The rich aroma of coffee and pastri

the birth

stark contrast to Arlie's muted gray. She pushed a beautifully wr

irthday,

ating darkness of her life in New York. While the Austin family had treated Arlie with thinly veiled disdain f

pale face and the haunted look in her eyes. Her voice drop

cing a pattern in the foam. She didn't have t

hispered, the words feeling f

d hitting the table made sev

e a furious whisper. "After everything you'

tin Corp., Connor was listening to a presentation on a multi-billion

on the polished table. He glanced at the screen: Sylvia Au

ilencing the presen

private office and

s it, M

eristic fury. "It's your wife's birthday, Connor! And you're in

with the force of

thd

ressing into his palm. His heart gave a hard, pai

washed over him. It was followed by somethin

his voice suddenly hoarse. He hu

boardroom. "We're done

ar keys and his coat, leaving a room f

Zoe were wandering aimlessly through the Chanel boutique on 57th Street, the air thick with the scent of expensive p

bove the d

figure filled the

l men, immediately straightened, their smiles becoming deferenti

fingers. Her heart did a stupid, hopeful

ew long strides. His voice, when he spoke,

e take you to dinner. Pe

to hope. Then she got a whiff of his suit jacket. A faint, floral s

"Let me guess. Mommy called and yelled at you, di

his gaze shifted to Zoe, his blue eyes turnin

tered the last of Arlie's hope. It wasn't an apology. It was an obliga

ack, creating a c

clear and steady. The coldness in her tone seeme

iance, her quiet acceptance of whatever crumbs he threw her way.

arted, reachin

his touch burned her.

s go,

, leaving Connor Austin standing alone amidst the glit

ge of unfamiliar, uncontrollable rage burned in his ches