n's jaw clenched. He refused to believe the submissive woman w

ed it into the interior pocket of his su

is toward the private elevator. "When you're d

shut, leaving the pen

e pulled a twenty-four-inch aluminum carr

yling team had bought her as accessories for company galas. She packed only three black merino wool tu

hite-gold wedding band she had bought for two hundred dollars

t into the heavy crystal ashtray by the lamp.

taken Karis back to a hotel; his assistant had already arranged for them to move into the

briefcase, and took the service elevator s

damp concrete of Level B2, high-beam headlights

riveway. The driver's window was rolled halfway down, t

her carry-on toward her five-year-

path, his tall, imposing figure casting a heav

eside her shoulder, trapping her in his space. "Where do you

of her mother in this world was that empty apartment, and a vintage emerald bracelet

expensive amber cologne crowded he

nderwood. You are

ll overlook your little tantrum toward Karis. Next month, I'll even have Julian transfer you into t

ghed. It was a clear, quiet sound tha

stayed with you for five y

rwood family pulling you out of your miserable life and paying f

n them turned

on-to lower her eyes, swallow the ins

lled out a duplicate copy of the divorce su

ron. "Complete waiver of spousal support. Zero clai

t his sternum. His fingers twitched, and a spe

ty said. "Sign away your parental rights, and

ped the trunk of her car, an

s screeching against the painted concrete as she backed out, swerved around the f

nder the yellow halogen lamps, his silhouette