from his touch, a ref

. His brow furrowed in confusio

"Are you still throwing a tantrum? I al

low threat. "Don' t make me do something worse.

Esther' s breath caught in her throat. Pain,

er voice a raw, hoarse whisp

e ringing of his phone. He g

ice instantly softening, all trace

What'

ough the phone. "Julian... I' m scared. There' s a th

sitation. He hung up and grabbed his

d, turning back to Esther

s rushing to comfort his mistress while his wife sto

he said. "It

as g

oud clap of thunder

aping her lips. She hated thunderstorms. Ev

her face full of concern. "Mrs. Mcgee, are you

arms around herse

ould have moved heaven and eart

at same protection, was be

gh the penthouse, and Esther sank to

ll night, sleeples

had finally fallen asleep on the sofa. "Mrs. Mcgee, Mr.

n the grand stair

ir dining table,

r," Katia said with

t Esther a disapproving look. "Don' t be rude, Esther. Katia was g

an' s. "It' s okay, Julian. I' m

his eyes full of adoration.

e and devotion, a twisted parody of what she and Julian onc

one buzzed.

ead before stepping into his

ake it anymore. Sh

had lost its sweet tone, now sharp and cold.

sed on the signature at the bottom. Julian'

her lawyer had drafted. The one sh

ped it into a stack of investment papers he had

romised.

ly as he signed a business contract, tricked

yes. "He' ll do anything I ask. Anything. My score

d at her, her fac

ns," she said,

reakdown. This cold, dead calm unnerved her. She needed a

s expression changed. Her eyes flashed with a s

ad at me!" she cried out, h

that surprised Esther,

op of the gr