of silence where Catherine's heartbeat

ecutive Floor, the air was different. Cool

ng corridor toward the CEO's office. The walls were glass-

ghter before

d she hadn't heard from Sebastian in

l. The blinds were partially

desk, his legs extended, ankles crossed. He looked relaxed

ween his leg

othing the fabric of his shirt. But the intimacy of the pose was undeniable. It was the body lang

d Sebastian threw his hea

hed in the gut. She held the basket o

n. She should turn

er dignity. She walked to the heavy gla

er cut off

into that familiar mask of annoyance. Serena turne

aimed, her voice sugary

t of the scones-vanilla and butter-wafted into the ste

r voice remarkably steady. She set th

ing a white sheath dress that looked suspiciously bridal. "

m," Catheri

n, eyebrows raised. "I didn't know yo

et, lifting her right hand

the window ca

stopped

delicate wrist, was a gold b

Identical to the one Sebastian h

Her vision tunneled. T

s gaze. She lifted her wr

bastian gave it to me this morning. A

yfully. "He got a bulk discount, didn

hat followed

his cuffs. He didn't deny it. He didn't say, "No, Catherine's w

miliation burn throug

rdered them like office supplies. One for the wif

etic. A desperate, homemade attempt to win af

e," Catherine

sked, hand hover

hey're stale.

walked to the metal trash bin ne

h

und wa

ebastian snapped, his patience sn

turning to face them. Her eyes were dry, b

t. If she looked at him, she might scream

d out of

Sebastian cal

ator button repeatedly, her breat

nd against the cold metal doors. I am bro

the floor as soon as they closed. She hugged her knees t