led as she removed her shoes, her mind replaying the scene at the hospital on a never-ending loop-the moment Marina's body jerked in reaction to th

g her hands with a dishtowel. She frowned as she looked a

wering herself onto the couch as if all t

de her, wait

and Marina had already eaten, the theatrical performance Marina put on, and finally, the allergic reaction tha

g the space between them. Then, as if someone ha

the victim as always. And David..." Her jaw clenched. "What a shameless scumbag. After e

nd the throw pillow on her lap, clinging to

red. "I can't take this anymore. I ne

on. "Then let's do it. Find

ny she could find-small firms, start-ups, even multinationals in far-off districts. She poured her energy into her

by, a chilling patt

ed with Hardison Corporation. We regret to inform you that your candidacy has bee

another-

ver a dozen applications, the t

ng, staring at her inbox. "They're scared of David. N

s blocking your path even when he's the one who pushed you away! He doesn't want you, but

etly. "But I can't live in th

hands on the table with enou

t. We're

ked at he

dance, and forget David Hardison exists. You've

ped her. "You just wan

self again," she said, softer

and Marina likely recovering in comfort somewhere, she had no reaso

e city-a place she claimed had "good musi

lights flickered overhead, the bass thumped beneath their feet, and

cktail while Noa mingled and cracked jokes. But after her second dr

the accusations, the betrayals, the invisible leash David still seemed to hold around her neck. She

she sa