a's

ea that something so lovely could coexist with the darkness I felt within seemed odd. Though the truth was out there now, the repercus

spute we could have had. I knew I couldn't blame him; he had looked at me with such betrayal in h

tangling Venessa's last threads of power. I knew Sam was straining too, even though she was in the other room sorti

hanged from uncertainty to hurt. He was unaware that every action I took was deliberate in

s grimace as usual. His eyes locked with mine, and for a minute I felt something else t

e need." Venessa's influence is over. The authorit

they did not. However, at what expense the

ds I wanted to say ch

, Nadia. Wounded. He finds it incomp

caught in this," I said quie

fter now, even sympathetic. "Venessa needed

directed against me but also against Sam. And even though Sam was attempt

y: "We need to focus on what's next. The company has to be reco

ind kept returning to Jake even as I agreed. Could

y, "I have to speak with

to be sensible? Nadia, he is hurt. Perhaps

omething to him. Not only bits of the truth fro

. He was worried about more than just Jake; he was worri

uite finished yet. Venessa is in detention, but she is not

d. That didn't stop me, though. Even if it me

evening. Fearful that he may refuse to see me should I call ahead, I had no

tood there with an unclear look. His eyes locked with min

"Nadia," his voice t

you." The words flowed out before I coul

sole source of illumination was from the city skyline seen through

ain," Jake remarked, his voice lifeless. "L

haking. "You observed what I had to do

hy are there all the lies? If you were only going to turn

s eye. "I never turned on you, Jake. I was attempting to shield

e concern? Given you were playing a part t

ke, my emotions for you are real, even if it's difficult to believe.

. "Was that also included in the strategy? To get ne

he is not the person I expected him to be. He is not merely a frigid, far-off billionaire. He is

ned his jaw. "And what abou

d softly. "At least,

crushed down on me. I wanted to reach out and grab his hand so he c

Jake murmured at last, his voice full of feeli

seeking pardon. I only want an opportunity to demonstrate that our e

ined. "Perhaps in due course over time. But just now I ne

I see. I will give you that room. Noneth

me to head off. Jake's voice st

back toward him. "Exercise caution. Ve

still hovered over us, and I knew she wasn't out of

air. Though the truth was out, the repercussions were just beginning. And even if I wanted to

t it was not too late to write things. Still, I knew the fight

world of power, betrayal, and secrets, nothing was ever as it appeared. And the o