pped up the pale blue dress Rocco had provided. It was simple, elegant, and a world away from the torn, cheap garment she had just discarded. She splashed cold

gone, replaced by a soft, cream-colored cashmere sweater and dark trousers. The change was strategic, she rea

. She saw a flicker of something complex in their

etter," was

out hi

hand of a man used to command. Reluctantly, she placed her small, cold hand in his. His grip was firm and s

," he murmured, his voice a low, private instruction. "You ado

director giving

d nodded. She forced her lips into a smi

then pushed open the heavy door to the hospital room. They w

n sitting on the plush sofa was not the frail, bedridden patient she had expected. Edward Matthews was in his lat

en!" he boomed, his voic

d mask vanished, replaced by a look of genuine affection. He smile

He led Jocelyn forward. "This is J

"Hello, Mr. Matthews," she sai

is cane on the plush carpet. "None

hand another gentle squeeze, his eyes enco

n her cheeks. "Grand

er free hand, his own warm and dry, and pulled her down to sit be

" he said, patting her hand. "E

tigated her. Of

You finally did something right, you rasc

celyn, his eyes filled with a look of such adoration that it made her breath

dward. He congratulated him on his stable co

" Edward declared proudly. "My

eading. Following the script Houston had given her, she explained that her father had passed away ye

he said, patting her hand again. "Well, you don't have to worr

door clicked shut, Houston dropped her hand as if it were on fire. The warmth, t

harp it surprised her. It was all an act,

"This is the address and key to a new apartment for your

pure and profound. "Th

nt key card. "And this is for my p

. "What? I thought... I though

and final. "He could show up at any time for a surprise vis

er hand. Its cold plastic was

d, his eyes like chips of