perform the first round of Cale's passive range-of-motion exercises. She moved his limbs through their arcs, her touch impersonal, her mind f

ch growling. The scent of coffee and bacon led h

e stylist. She was tall, blonde, and dressed in a pale pink tweed suit that probably cost more than Phoe

ondescending sweetness. "You must be the... new help."

ight. Sloane Beaumont. Sovereign Bay's reigning princess and, acco

id. She knew exactly what th

agine what Catherine was thinking," she mused, her eyes raking over Phoenix's simple cotton

her reasons," Phoenix repl

hing, don't you? You married a name on a piece of paper. You're the keeper of an empty shell. The

shove Phoenix's shoulder, to knock

ble movement. Sloane's hand met empty air. Thrown off by her own momentum, Sloane stumbled, her expensi

er only concern was for the porcelain. "Be careful, Mis

shed a blotchy, f

r a split second, Sloane saw the glacial coldness beneath. "I heard," Phoenix said, her voice drop

loane's face. She looked

want to be tied to a man in a coma. You wanted a healthy husband to escort

3 a.m., buried deep in a hacked server cont

ure shattered. "How... how c

ng lover. You're not mourning Cale. You're mourning the loss of the Sterling name next to yours." She t

l. "If you're here to visit my husband, you're welcome. If you're here to cause tro

looked like a nobody, but her eyes held the chilling

mask of indifference. "Madam," she said, her voice

, crushing blow. It cemented Phoe

ght nod and walked toward the dini

ion so profound it felt like a physical blow. Her hands clenched

find a way to destroy this cheap, conniv

resh fruit, and coffee. She picked up her fork and knife, her movem

ablished a clear boundary. The Sterling estate was her sanctuar