vening when they lef

d, "What were you and Daniel chatting about just

d replied, "Oh, we were discus

an went

ntly held her hand, his voice softer t

Elaria stared ahead, her eyes

s from Sebastian only showed up when she was in

with love, and even

t have kids anymore, would he still try to keep her, or sprint in

common effort, closing the distance

e couldn't fee

s machine. He clearly had zero interest in intimacy with her but s

han being reduced to i

a sorrow she couldn't hide. "Sebastian, I meant it when I said I wan

ared at her like he was trying t

silence, his

-we're not get

ne once we have a kid. You w

ained. "Sebastian... what if

lous thought. "That's impossible. We b

ve a bitt

report? Might as

ready buried somewhere between brok

Crest Residences,

had probably planned to coax her into bed to

nch. She figured he wa

he didn't have to pu

, he never

tayed on all night, but the ma

eek, Sebastian

ought up di

autumn nights-wha

w in their bedroom, gazing out at the sycamor

rriage, hadn't dived into the business world too soon-ma

t call him. He might as wel

inally saw each other ag

*

at H

ost upscale

room when she spotted Bianca pressed up cl

looked down at her phone, prete

d pissed, r

or now."There wasn't an open seat near Sebastian, and Elaria had no intention of joining his little entourage, so

arkled under th

Elaria suddenly heard the

saw Bianca's reflec

lf, voice laced with smugness and challenge. "I moved back

urned of

nca's youthful, doll-l

ay. Not like her, face showing traces of long nights

'd learn to play the part of a quiet, well-fed canary. Stop making noise, cling to his neck when you want something, and

ian won't let me drink.

hips one thing: money. He knows exactly where women stand in his priority list. Give it five mi

. "I don't b

aria's smile fa

her earlier bluff laughable. She knew well-if she made the effort, she coul

nally cleared. Elaria sat down gracefully, defaul

yes watery, trying he

ed. "Was it really nec

anca's defense felt like a stab. He cared when Bianca hurt, bu

what a

, she suggested Bianca toast someone from the other firm-clea

her way out of it, coun

tian's striking face darkened-quiet, b

a was doing th

h his words were aimed at Bianca. "Aurvista's project is

t anymore. Lips tremblin

t over to drink with Mr. Lee, Ela

e the evil stepmother, watching herself snuff o

forgot they were

*

the underground

rear car door. "Watch your head, Ms. G

ead, muttering, "Just

from day one. She handled everything-upfront planning, all the networking-it was all her. But to

ink herself straight into the

t into her car, a man's arm re

st the black SUV. The cold metal only ma

he pain, then looked up at her husband's stormy f

rgue under Sebastian's sharp gaze. She

es stung, t

n finally snapped. He stepped in on her, gripp

were you pic

the hospital for her

s just a family friend. I'm

ac

r hand went numb from the impact, and

t into your bed? Tell me, Sebastian, are you flaunting

ing against the inside of his cheek, eyes locked on her like she was his biggest threat.

choing his words with scor

emed to reel

o be obedient. Wasn't it nice, playing the perfect Mrs. Richards? Just have a baby, and you

s streamed down Elaria's che

k th

there's a '

some girl hanging off you every time I turned around. Back then, you actually came home

who's changed

same bed, and now

side him through the elite social scene for four years. But after a long p

ht was

like m

morrow, you're off the Aurvista Project. As for you

ve a bitt

ts sheath-and he use

ed between them. This wasn't just about another woman. Sebastian was burning th

l-tim

ld-be

ined to him for life, usi

ent, her grief broke through

her loving alone. Meeting Sebastian had

s done

done pre

s going to tell S

t have chil