as drenched in a silence so t

nough to snap diamonds. I didn't ask him anything-I couldn't. Not with

ding was a deal! How it had nothing to do

iring, microphones shoved forward. The room had spiraled into noise, stares, a

hing had

ouse, I stole a glance at him. He looked... calm. Too calm. I alm

ble, the luxury of it all suddenly feeling suffocati

la

b. His voice had that edge ag

w she'd do th

k that makes

n't re

lf of Singapore, and you-" my voice cracked, "you didn't fli

atching the sharp angles of his face. "What did you want

Mostly because I

he added, quieter now. "This wa

to fix your public image, seal your business deal, and make y

jaw ticked, but

ight,

e, he le

g hands, letting the navy silk puddle to the floor. My makeup was ha

ng something, anything; to dis

esting where my per

p. No a

written in bold, un

ent before I picked it up, p

le folded note. C

ng a tabloid threat, or may

This w

what this deal me

itched. The

I'd imagined it. I rea

fat

ced to whispers and pity. I remembered his trembling hands. The days he spe

eone... Zayd

en's cold proposal. The way his father had smil

ainst my ribs, but

pe again. No logo. No

matter. The da

out a marriage of c

was a

done being