ic. Chloe stared out the window, the city lights blurring into streaks of gold and red. A bridal shop, its window

answer destroyed her, she h

et it sounded like a gunshot in the oppressive sil

lowing screen of his laptop. His

-year strategic plan. You are well

wasn't part of his life; she was a line

ring against her ribs. "I don't mean the business p

terrifying thing. She watched his face, searching

ound

he car seemed to drop ten degrees. He closed his laptop with a so

aped his lips. It was a soun

hat you are. What are

h surgical precision. Still, she pressed on, fueled by a d

what if, there

n, and the utter lack of humanity in hi

alm. "Only failures in planning. Our agreement has clauses fo

lity he would use for a failed business venture. It appli

tilted, the glittering lights outside spinn

rk twisting his lips. He thought she was heartbroken

rned, his voice soft but laced with steel. "You'r

an opened Julian's door. He stepped out, adjusting his cufflinks, instantly

t her, his face a

ake my arm.

s an

d the bitterness and the nausea that clawed at her throat.

ights. She placed her hand on his forearm, the fabric of his suit feeling like s

light. She felt like a puppet, her strings

ng through the crowd with an easy, predatory grace, a glass of champagne in his hand. He laughed at a joke from a ban

an empty stall, locked the door, and leaned her forehead against the cool marble pa

It was a hollow, aching void where a tiny, fr

erminate t

ir baby a conting

ired her makeup, erasing any trace of her breakdown. Her reflection was

bypassed Julian and his circl

th a twist of

crystal glass. They looked like tiny, fleeting sparks of life. In that momen

ad to

ret life she carried. She would run,

. Her gaze inadvertently locked with a pair of dark, interested eyes from across the room.

ainty, that nothing about leaving