Gilber

e where I had once believed I was happy. My body was a landscape of pain, the stitches from the hysterectomy a constant, pulling

ughter echoing in the halls, her expensive perfumes clinging to the air like

his shoulders as he sat reading. "The annual Sharpe Foundation

not looking up from his

led on a sofa, a cashmere throw pulled up to my chin. "Ellie sho

public spectacle, made my stomach clench. "I'm n

cold. "Fallon is right. You've been

b were swarming with New York's elite, a sea of pastel linen and wide-brimmed hats. I felt l

d in a small, smirking circle, their eyes following me with predatory amuseme

me with contempt. "I have to hand it to you, Gilbert. You played the long gam

ear the whispers. I just stood there, my hands clenched into

cent black stallion, her movements fluid and confident. "Oh, Ellie," she called out, her voice carryin

sad-looking mar

f the surgery a fresh stab of p

into a cruel smile. "Oh, that's right. The procedure. How cl

arm. "Don't be difficult, Ellie. Fallon went to

eaded, my voice break

he said, his voice low and menacing. His

ovement sent a jolt of agony through my abdomen. The crowd wa

hter ringing out as the crowd applauded. Jace watched her, his face alight with pride and ad

was skittish, and my body was too weak to control her properly.

hard on my side, a cry of pain escaping my lips. The impact tore at

busy congratulating Fallon on her victory lap, wrapp

s. No one came to help. Eventually, I dragged myself to my feet, my dress stained wi

e looked at me with open disdain. "Mr. Sharpe is with M

ance floor, their bodies pressed close, his lips whispering in her ear. Later, I saw a picture of them on a society blog, posted

not break any further, splinte