years

the center of it all stood Chloe Ashford, a woman who moved with the quiet confidence of someone who knew her worth. Her auburn

A quick glance in the floor-to-ceiling mirror showed a stranger. A stronger, colder,

ell was soft, but it echoed i

rm. They were the picture of a power couple, radiant an

ss-it was all there, a phantom sensation that made her want to gasp for air. Her fingers curled into a fist, nails digging in

sle. Welcome. We are so honored to have you. May I present our lead designe

iercing, bored into her, searching, dissecting. As his gaze swept over her face-a face tha

. The resemblance was undeniable, and a flicker of

e. A pleasure." Her voice was smooth, with a faint, unplaceable accent she had cult

than any outburst could have. The shock in his

rself as much as him. "What a strange coincidence," she said, her voice a little too bright. "Alistair's first wife was also

ir's face as she s

His hand, which had been resting in his pocket, clenched into a

her gaze back to Chloe. "Don't you th

ession a maelstrom of emotions-disbelief, suspic

on her lips. "Is that so? I suppose I should be flattered." Her

ered no purchase for suspicion,

epped in, launching into a description of the lates

dery with Elara, her expertise undeniable. But she felt Alistair's eyes on her the entire time, a heavy,

wanted. This burning curio

g, she delivered one last, saccharine blow. "I trust you'll design the most beautiful

r. "It would be my honor