lia

led against Blake's side like a contented cat. Any lingering warmth I might ha

eyes gleaming with victory. "You're making a scene. We're all s

through the pages. My lawyer and I had spent over

a much thicker folder, and dropped i

urs," I said. "

t was twice as thick as his, filled with

as yesterday, was the natural expiration date of the contract," I state

is my notice of termination, along with a detailed invoice fo

e eyes scanned the pages, his brow

eyes landed on the staggering figure in th

greedy!" she blurted out, forgetting

stipulates, Ms. Price. Unlike some

between surprise, grudging respect, and a hint of

place I don't belong," I said, m

then gave a curt nod. "Fine. I'

ad a

cating room seized me. I turned and walked ou

illed with expensive things Blake had bought me, gest

ated. I packed only my own clothes and the fe

and quietly helped me fold a sweat

ree years, Mrs. Finch," I said, giving

house felt like shedding a heavy, suffocating skin.

into a suite at The Langham. I needed a n

ther's funeral, I was exhausted, hollowed out.

e elevator. Just as the doors were slidi

aces froze the instant they saw me. Sophie, clinging to Blake's arm, cut off her gigg

o the nines f

pressed myself into the corner, turning my

e's eyes on me, a hea

ped out, heading toward a private lounge called

ulder, her eyes flashing with provocation. She whispe

disappear through the lounge doors. The fire I

gone, so they cou

started

button for th