e Cos

, my movements stiff and robotic. I could feel their eyes

reflection. The woman looking back was a stranger. Her face was pale, her eyes wide with a horror so profound it felt like it was co

the real Elliot-had given it to me. Inside, nestled on a

wedding. We were in this very room. He had just stepped out o

ature. "It's a guarantee, Claire. To show you that this," he gestured between us, "is forever. It states that in the ev

ck towards him. "I don't wan

the heavy paper. "I know. But I want you

rd was a bitter po

gain after a brief period of silence years ago, Elliot had been the one to handle it. He' d calmly changed my nu

lliot was the one who held me. He' d stayed up all night, reading to me until my trembling subsided. H

of white roses and shimmering crystal. Standing at the altar, he' d looked

very single word. Because he was Ell

nted not a promise, but a price tag. This wasn't a symbol of commitment. It was his get-out-of-jail-f

et, my body convulsing as I dry-heaved, but there was n

g paths down my frozen cheeks. But they weren

ty, I walked back to the vanity. I picked up the heavy, gold-plated pen beside the bo

and deliberate. I packed a small bag, just the essenti

g, the bedroom door opened.

familiar, feigned gentleness. "What are

nder a pile of clothes in my suitcase,

"It will make you feel better, I promise." He took my ha

n the center of the room. Killian was there, a smug l

arm around my shoulders. "He's decided to turn over

e trouble I caused in the past, everyone. Especially you, Claire." The apology w

e, it's so lovely to finally meet you properly. I've heard so muc

isis with his mentor, a scandal that nearly torpedoed a major Callahan deal. Kassie's fathe

of love. He had chosen me as a placeholder, a beautiful prop for his perf

w throat. I looked at Elliot, my eyes pleading for him to d

arning. His grip on my shoulder tightened, a silent threat

had clung to, the tiny, foolish belief that there had been some love, some truth, disin

spotlight hit the small stage at the far end of the

sion, I spun away from Elliot's

air

ist in a vice-like grip. I was

ld, something dangerous, filled my senses. It was the scen

ll

othing like Elliot's, vibrated against my ear. "