sage pinged on

from

vi

rembled as she

han's bed. Ethan, shirt

spered endearments a brutal so

urred to the camera, then

ideo

in was a physical thing, coiling in

ak something, to erase the i

r eyes, tryin

rious penthouse sudde

refully chosen furnishing, was a reminder

uilt on

rong, so certain, wa

deeper than she c

ts became a

g Emily's engagement

fectly, don'

ends away, gifts Ethan had claime

en he's happy. And I

te, calculated strike, desi

er. She saved every message

den

d need it for

t night, smelling of wi

in the dark, staring

kay? You l

d with that famili

turn. "Ju

er, placed his hand

h is crazy right now

he knew it

ulsive. She subtly

bouquet of roses arriv

utiful Emily. Counting dow

xted a photo of an identical

he? Though I prefer white roses.

s roses in the tra

nseen, but it felt like

ed social circle, continued

f Ethan's business partner

an, Ethan. Emily

, his arm possessively around

bitter taste i

ect fiancée, while her min

on for the children's hospi

r, expected to make a

e antique locket, "a sym

esented, Olivia Vanc

t was too revealing,

tively close to Ethan's

the locket began, Eth

ed hers, a smirk

red and angry, made an outrageou

the l

ily with a flourish,

s cold against the metal. I

for a moment," Ethan mur

up and fo

pounded. She

following them tow

secluded corner, n

eated, intimate. The

er purse – the locket box? – be

lt a col