he set the phone to silent and p

coffee table. His birthday gift. A custom Patek Philippe watch. She had worked late n

rself through college. But over the last eight years, she had softened her edges and dimmed her o

icked up the box and dropped it into her to

nd Preston strolled in. He brought with him a nauseating cocktail of sea breeze, his signa

d his trademark charming smile sprea

took a deliberate step back. The rejection was subtle

y expected his obedient little fiancé to be waiting b

voice as smooth and col

tronizing laugh. "Done? What is this, some new game? Ar

another one of her 'little moods' he h

carat diamond engagement ring from her finger, and placed it on the glass surface of the coffee ta

said. "I'll have my thing

s finally wiped the arrogant smirk off his fac

th a surprisingly bruising grip. "You're throwing an eight

inch. She looked him dead in the eye, her gaze sharp enough t

physical blow. His pup

ly from confusion to defensive fury. "Th

ust the furious panic of

this dramatic. Kinsley? She's a cheap thrill. A rented toy for a weekend on a boat. She means absolutely nothing! You're th

oman-a toxic tactic he had used a hundred times before to smoot

ing through his excuses. She turned and walked toward the

any hysterical tantrum could have. He was losing control, and his fragile ego couldn't

the screen. "Look in the mirror, Elliana! You're almost thirty. You've spent your best years playing my perfe

. He had forwarded her the contact cards of several o

malice, "maybe one of them will take you in. Because let's face it-without my black

g eight years of her unwavering love and support to a cheap

. Elliana didn't feel humili

independent woman she used to be hadn't died; she had jus

she smiled. It was a radiant, terrifying smile-the smile of a pr

"I spent eight months of my own freelance salary saving for that custom Patek Philippe

ning from his face as her words s

y certainty. "I am almost thirty. Which means I still have the rest of my life to not

almly tapped his name, pressed Block this Caller, and wit

t time, taking in the pathetic sig

e, Mr.

air, not once looking back, leaving him standing alone