dessert plates, the front door of the

idn't see them at first. But Britany did. Her face l

t, waving a delicate ha

y moved from Britany's smiling face to Cecelia's impassive one. He excused himself from his bu

asked, his voice tight. He looked

for the other night," she said, her voice a perfect blend of sweetne

ty chair at their table

, his long legs brushing against Cecel

e sighed dramatically, her expression morphing into one

id, her voice soft with pity. "But she's so strong and capable. I kno

from Britany to Cecelia, his gaze

my god. You didn't know?" She looked at Cecelia, her eyes wide with feigned apology

pped in silk, dropping the bomb in the m

ing behind a stark, angry pallor. He stared at Cecelia, h

out a thing, Cecelia. I know so many wonderful, eligible men. We'll find you someone in no time. In fa

of her husband. The humiliation was absolute. It was a physic

ace. Beneath the table, her hands clenched

e them the satisfacti

t the screen as if she'd just recei

culously steady. "I have an urgent meeting back at t

t, her steps even. She didn't run. She retre

he took a deep, shuddering breath, fighting back the

er, was seared into her mind. She knew what he was thinking. That she ha

unfamiliar panic churning in his gut. He ended his own lunch abruptly. The first thin

"Mrs. Carlyle-Spencer has no meetin

li

e. A sick, twisted game to make him feel... what? Guilty? Jealous? He didn

y budgets. It had to do with finalizing the transfer of her personal assets, seve