om a night without sleep. She sat up, the torn remnants of her camisole falling

ume of smoke curling towards the ceiling. He was already dressed in a crisp shirt and trousers, his hair perfec

mell of sex and smoke. A suffocati

as no apology in them, no remorse. It was as if last

ts stiff. She gathered the shredded remnants of her camisole, holdin

Julian's voice, flat and businesslike

onal nature of the word was another twist of the knife. She didn't look

for the ba

e added, his voice dev

ning-af

c shred of illusion she might have had. He didn't just not love her; he actively wanted

ight, jerky nod and disappeared into the b

es, and slid down the cool, smooth wall. She sat on the floor, the hot water sluicing over her, and wept. Not

nt, the memory of his violation. After, she dressed quickly in a plain sweater

, the hushed sounds of the househol

g such tricks to make the

rds were sharp little needles, piercing her already wounded pride. In this

in his late fifties, who had served the Sinclair family for decades. His face was a mask

low but firm. "Your work is

ied away, their

n the banister, each step an effort. She paused for a long moment on the landing, staring at the grand foyer bel

seated at the head of the table, dressed in a perfectly tailored Tom Ford suit, reading the Wall Stre

ed quietly at her elbow, holding out a g

I thought you

, hostile environment of this house, it

She took the glass, her fingers wrapping aroun

nse blue of his eyes, the air of effortless power he exuded. This was

leave. She was about to turn

e day after tomorrow

actually remembered. The thought was so absurd, s

e. "What do you want for a gift?" he asked, his tone

ake a pill was now calmly asking about a birthday gift. The gesture was s

her voice flat. "I

t The Plaza. A birthday dinner. Consider it part of the compensation." He paused, then added the r

ances. About the Sinclair name

d

d part of her heart fluttered. He remembered. In the midst of al

e thought, this was the universe offering her a chance for a final,

was her husband in name only,

rig