the bed, looming over Caroline like a dark shadow. "You clawed your way into th

us." Caroline's tone stayed cool, all emot

late tie that once drew her in. Now, every polished detail only made him loo

his tie, his fingers moving in smooth, prac

el, he strode for the door, not sparing her a backward g

ched his back recede. "Vincent, even if you couldn

his silence cutting deeper tha

ouds loomed overhead, the air

straight despite the damp chill. The moment Vincent emerged, Jerald moved fo

Jerald announced, extending a small vel

brow, making no m

ning lay a porcelain leaf, flawlessly crafted-its delicate veins etch

sender. Same timing," Jerald said quietly.

eartbeat, something unguarded flickered in his eyes. He'd been well aware that Caroline's birthday was just around the corner. For three yea

ed Caroline about it. He k

ing in a low voice, "And... that p

a shadow sweeping across his

es

en, unshakable decision to end their marriage. She was ready to bolt straight into th

sued the order, his voice slicing through the

t i

as the skies split open, sheets of rain hamm

.

a steady drizzle, but the early winte

wheel and guided her car towar

, a seasoned journalist with degrees in both journalism and finance

ved into an exhausting juggle of family obligations. Every hour had been claimed by something, leavin

e and popping a pill past her lips. She'd swung by a pharmacy earlier. Since Vincent

. Maybe that was the universe's way of telling her they were never meant to be. Now that she

y, scraping a raw path down her throat, leaving behind a burn that spread

eaths, and then slipped on her high heels with deliberate precision. The mo

n, came hurrying toward her. He didn't bother with pleasantries, seizing her lightly by the arm and s

ed, a faint frown form

n out of nowhere, they say they need to 'reconsider.' Come on-doesn't that scream they're pulling out?" He

om Caroline's face,

in their upper ranks. Our entire quarterly revenue hinges on that contract, and

out. Vincent's hand must be all over this mess. As the CEO of the Keystone Group, he could easily p

ng in the air. "For God's sake, say something! The y

ension in her jaw betraying the storm bene