la

as never trul

ow up with Lucas

to slip away unnoticed. Before she

led him, and the question slipped from his lips bef

talie froze, then fa

wing as if silently accusing her of some

low as to follow him around? What sor

gh before answering, "Becaus

regain her composure, she flashed a practiced smile and said, "Luke, you a

fore she could take a step. "No need for

l cons

lie, and a heavy disapp

hy Lucas had gone b

g the west suburb project would ea

he'd had to secure the project. But when she finally delivered the good news, Luc

ime, Natalie convinced herself he was simp

foolish she had been

Ella meant to Lucas, enough

two fit together, Natalie couldn't help but feel li

before she could speak, he spat impatiently, "You s

sure flickering across his features, convinced she was havin

ed, but it became obvious this wa

fueled Lucas' contempt

expression. Her eyes bounced between Lucas and Ella as she repl

the mention of Ella, Lucas' eyes tur

You're misunderstanding everything," Ella s

dle of it all, she might have b

cheming always assumes the worst." Lucas stepped in front of Ella,

ment toward Lucas, witnessing this sce

oman, yet his wife didn't even d

l joke life

ve things to do, unlike you, who sp

as doubted Natalie had anyth

, Natalie drew in a steady breath, and the cal

und, which only made Lucas grow even more impatient

ffrey paused, surprise flickering across his face for an ins

speak with Mr. Thorpe ab

esignation letter, he handed

igna

t Natalie, clearly not expecting her to go this far. The idea that

anning to walk out and then run

s studied her, searching

b, he doubted she

ie replied, locking eyes with him, her words fir

eply, irritation bubbling

Jeffrey and scrawled his signature on the page, not a hint of

nt from his hand before turning away, her steps light,

s narrowed his eyes

st night. In the past, she might have pleaded for a

la asked in concern when sh

s out of the haze in his head, d

e in the past now. Their ties had been cut

heavy shroud had finally been lifted. The sunlight poured over her, br

promising herself that she would nev

oved so deeply that she lost sight

buzzed, pulling her

, and the caller ID made her

oommate back in school, but after she married Lucas, th

r nerves, Nat

saying, "Natty, I'm in troubl

e's brows crease, worry flashing

re else I've asked-can repair it. It wouldn't be so terrifying if it were any other client. But this guy's business is tied up wit

working on commissions after you got married, but I'm de

atalie had once walked away from her flourishi

you in this position. I'll f

hand