idate rather than welcome. A crystal chandelier the size of a small car hung

y always made sure his steak was medium-rare, perfe

he was inspecting her wine glass for spots. "The help is g

oo tight, slightly too low-cut for a family dinner. She was trying h

used to sit. She would sit quietly, hands folded in her lap, listening

h faux concern. "Do you think she found a motel? Or maybe a shelte

shed back to the Rolls-Royce.

eigning innocence. "D

didn't want to talk about Bradley

outside. Then another. The window

ster, jumped up and ran to the French doors t

e distance, over the East River, specifically o

ated the skyline. It wasn't a public disp

d gasped, pressing her face to the glass. "T

sparks lingered in the air, forming

BIRT

e sky for a solid ten

blood drain fr

arms around his waist. "Some rich guy must be really try

. He pulled it out. It was a messag

e this. It's trending on T

n by a paparazzi from a boat on the river. It showe

eworks, stood a woman. Her back was to the camera, but Eve

as K

wn that shimmered like liquid starlight. Diamonds-massive, pink diamond

back, was Bradley Stafford. He was leaning down, whispering something

potent it made his vision blur.

mbled back, shocke

air," he

his mother's question about dessert. He grabbed his k

Drive, weaving through traffic, his eyes fixed

ing. He just needed to see. H

7. He marched toward the boardwalk, but a wall

ly guard said, stepping in

ertt stammered, point

," the guard scof

hain-link fence, sta

under the soft glow of s

n back in genuine, unbridled joy. He hadn't seen her smile like t

was introducing her to a group of men in tuxedos. Evertt recognize

y. Then, a bitter realization settled in-they weren't talking to her. They were talking to Bradley

o the cold wind, his voice cracking. "Less

ence, the metal rattling. The pai

shore, toward where Evertt stood in the shadows. For a second, their g

y. She said something, and Brad

t sick. He felt angry. But mostly, he felt a

, walking back to his car. "You pla