over. The lines

tableau of Julian's pathetic, shattered family behind her. She ascended the stairs

ous uncertainty. He found her in the small, dusty ro

inject a reasonable tone into his voice. "W

e didn't look at him, focusing on neatly folding a few blouses and placing them in the suitcase. There wa

anic began to set in. This wasn't a mood. T

she said, her tone as casual as if she were disc

house. He could still fix this. "I'll come with you. We'll go right now. You can pick out

rp, final. She finally turned to look at him, her eyes clear and

d walked towards the door,

s grip tight. "What do you mean, your

otesque, laughable lie. A bitter smile touched Chloe's lips. Sh

she said. It w

an any screaming match could have. He had lost control. He felt it slipping

wn the stairs, and out the front

h, minimalist office of David Grant, one o

Chloe stated, her voice calm and assured. "A standalo

ge screen. The Crest in Newport was among them. Chloe's eyes passed over it without a flicker of interest. That house w

oast on Long Island. It was all glass and clean lines, a stark contrast to the stuff

he said. "Can

ar whisked them to Long Island. The house was even better in person. It was a sa

e didn't hesitate. "I'll tak

n the documents, she filled in the buyer's info

is a marital asset, Ms. Sterling, your husba

eyes cool and direct. "This is not a ma

ned. In less than an hour from seeing the listi

called Chloe's phone a dozen times. Each call went straight to voicemail. He sent

e had known her every move, her every thought. She had been an open

ening. Something h

king out at the ocean. The setting sun painted the sky in shades of bruised purple and

n two years she had fel

opened Julian's contac