Married to the man who ruined me.

came at

n almost did

the vibration sharp in the quiet room. She glanced

wn nu

back to h

s invoice she didn't remember agreeing to. Her mother's medical bills. Every number felt heavier than

ne buzz

exhale

d go away. Most things did event

d buzz d

up the phon

was si

ward kind.

hat felt i

ine st

at last. Calm. Professional. C

his?" Ari

tive from Bla

seemed

ediately. "You hav

eplied. "And this ca

und the phone. "I don't d

re of your

ade he

" the voice continued smooth

rtbeat

concern," Ariella said, tho

e the man on the other end w

Quinn," he said. "And her accou

st the chair scraped l

did yo

ion tomorrow," the man replie

not c

want to r

aid

use. This

voice said evenly, "the situ

dry. "Are you

inn. I'm in

ne wen

r phone long after t

names in

ckw

e company that had swallowed smaller firms whole. The name that surfaced in every article that mentioned the colla

t sleep t

ked exactly like it

med. Ariella stood across the street for a long moment, staring u

crossed

ors. Muted colors. People moving with purpose, not curiosity. S

was

said after a quick glance at

ect

l talk. No waiting. The doors closed with a soft, final sound

ty-f

ty-

y-ei

or opened, the

e end of the corridor,

epped

iling windows framed the city below like something owned, no

o her, hands in his pockets

he was befo

n Bla

. He simply stood there, unbothered by her presence,

is gaze settled on her-sh

ame,"

r chin. "You ment

pression giving nothing away. Then he walked

problem," he

tened. "What k

esn't disappear w

n the desk between the

didn't t

this?"

olut

ort, humorless l

ed steady. "Whether

"Your company de

he said

ssion st

tinued, voice shaking. "You made peo

," Lucien replied. "Damage

get to de

ned slightly.

between them, heav

he didn't want to open it. Didn't want to

ou want?" she

dying her like a chess

cooper

spiked. "D

ere I can p

n, sharper this

s coming,"

inally touche

felt heavier th

e asked, not

't answer i

is voice was l

formation you'

a swal

d inside that folder-she knew on

n altered the moment her

ver return to what