usually a soothing sound, a symphony of high society dinin

oking at her own plate. "And you promised this would be a c

, staring into the red

a's voice turned sharp. "Stop it. She's gone. She'

the creases of her eyes. Her voice had a grating quality he hadn't noticed before, or perhaps had chosen to ignore. He felt a s

nking about

s thought, the glass door

had ever seen him bow. "Mr. Stafford

tt f

e he owned the building. But it was the

le

red white power suit, tailored to within an inch of its life. Her hair, usually

s tie, her fingers moving

restaurant to hear. "Is that Kiley? She has no s

ly against the floor. Before he could s

their path

pressed rage. "This is what you were in such a

ld disinterest one might show a buzzing fly. He

ey said, his voice

ind Bradley's protection. Her eyes were cool,

ormality stung m

his. "Kiley, honey, we're just concerned. It looks...

t her like she was a stain on the carpet. "

e a fish. The sheer weight of Bradley's charisma

rd, puffed up with indignation. "Kiley, did you marry me ju

think this is about money? Evertt, do you really think eve

"And I want my money back. That settlem

was shorter than him, but in that m

ice cutting through the restaurant's hush. "I don

e you destroyed five million dollars? You're a better actress than I thought." He didn't believe

.' I spent my birthdays alone because she had 'panic attacks.' I cooked your meals, I ironed your shirts, I loved yo

uth of her words hit him like a physical blow. He reme

h her again, or if this... person," he gestured vaguely at Adda, "slanders her again

ening instantly. "Come on, darling. We have bette

rning her back on Eve

he door. The valet was a

t, the eyes of the New York elite burning int

n his sleeve. "She's so

rm away from her grasp, suddenly repulsed b

s stomach. Kiley hadn't just left him. She had ascended. And he was b