. Chloe stood near the entrance, a statue in a bespoke navy blue gown by Oscar de la Renta. The

tracing the rim of her champagne flute. One last ni

iosity. They saw the dress, the Sinclair diamonds at her throat, but they also saw

med Evelyn, appeared at her elbow. "Mr. Si

her heart gave a ner

hed to open the door. Julian emerged, looking impossibly elegant in a classic black tux

touched Chloe's

other side of the car. Another d

Ha

as styled in soft waves, and she looked pale, delicate, and utterly captivating. She took J

ute in her hand trembled, the liquid sloshing against

The illusion she had been clinging to-the idea of a d

d, his voice a low murmur, as if this were the most

py birthday, Chloe. I hope you don't mind. Ju

face, but on the cascade of pink and

rs of th

ssioned. He had shown it to her, a rare moment of connection. For our first annivers

r woman's neck. At h

an insult. It w

rs caressing the largest pink diamond. "It's beautiful, isn't it?" she said, he

e looked at Julian, her eyes pleading with him to see the

eyes. "It's just a necklace, Chloe," he said,

e three of them, a delicious scandal unfolding before them. Chl

re second, a living effigy of a failed marriage. She t

wrist, stopping her. Jul

do you think you're going?" His

eyes blazing with a fury bor

, his face a mask of controlled anger

nd on Julian's arm. "Julian, please. Don't

voice a venomous whisper only she could hear. "You will stay. You wi

felt like an animal caught in a trap, the steel

emotions down into a cold, hard knot in her stomach. She turn

sband," she said, her

would have seen that the light in

ed through the room as one, accepting birthday wishes on Chloe's b

only companion, and watched the grotesque theater unfo