utes later, Chloe clinging to his arm, her expres

ance down the hallway

wards the main rooms, a hollo

stranded in the opulence

lungs felt thin

stifling atmosphere, away from the

or that led to a de

ace, but it did little to so

h, the city lights twinkling di

riend and now her personal assistant

looking all over for you. A

ce was warm

her head, tears finally escaping and

utting a comforting ar

happ

the sobs she' d been holding

n-Cole house in D.C. much la

t drain

rk and silent. E

He was probably with

, the one that felt more like a

nd get into bed, her expr

va. We' ll talk

she closed her eyes, she heard E

ing, Ethan fi

her to his study, the same room where he

ding by the window

was like a granite mask

ht?" he demanded, his vo

well," Ava said, her

towards her. "Or were you trying

ered. "Upsetting Chloe? W

y distressed after the fundraiser. She said you were staring at her, ma

"I was making her uncomfortable? Ethan, I o

wed. "You were

every word. You said I mean nothing to you. That o

idn' t soften. If any

now you' re trying to punish Chloe fo

Can' t you see it?" Ava' s voice rose, fueled by desp

way. She has been through enough. She needs my protection. And if you ever, ever

ger he had become, or perhaps,

m was dying, replaced by a b

id, her voice flat. "I

oment, then turned back to th

ssed.

of the study, a cold res

she was considered nothin

uld le

ifying, now felt like t

eached her room. He threatened her about

a sham, a prison

trange sense of detach

he things in this house felt like the

her books, he

emembered

artin, her mo

on, the one tangible link to th

small, soundproofed space Et

n its usual spot, lea

open

ga

ar wasn'

ere could it be? She

he room, her h

as g

tle later, her fac

what's

r voice trembling. "It's

he knew how much that i

you last

tened for a few minutes." A rare moment, one Ava had foolishly

the suspicion taking roo

. "I wouldn' t put it past

o I do,

aya thought for a moment. "Your brother. Daniel. He' s in town. He can help. Or... maybe we shou

ather... he' s powerful, but he dotes on Chloe too. Daniel i

ty unwavering. "But I' m coming

n keeps a lavish pla

Ava' s phone buzzed. A te

arty. You should see how h

leaning into Ethan, who had his arm arou

cold. He was ther

showing Maya the phon

er," Maya said, her jaw set.