had attended. I waited till it was officially over,

ick you up when

d to communicate with me throug

do was obe

laughing, hugging, exc

ying and the lights dim

phone screen ev

:0

:2

49:

lessly punctual. But tonight,

. "Eva left early. She said she ha

mach c

sh air, when a familiar face caught my eye

respected name in every legal circle. A woman wh

uest when suddenly, her sharp

towards me. "We've met briefly, ma

embered

led. "It's an honor t

ission dinner many years ago. You were an excep

t smile, knowing

rried Lucian Dhark. She tilted her head gently. "A sha

etely. Margot was polite and calm, b

ife took me in a differen

could see straight through me. Perhaps she saw the old Claire

ned with compa

k, She touched my arm. "The la

and left me alone wi

s from falling. I couldn't cry aga

e last guest to leave. I stepped outside i

s. Lucian's car rolled t

able expression and a loosened ti

apology, no sense of urgency, not e

o escape the cold air. But almost immediately, someth

t was expensive

est b

the air when she walked up to me at the

he car and immediatel

He a

h a trembling voice, d

ome in hea

y night went, he didn't even look at me. But I was

ouch and loosened his cuffs. I stood in the doorway

y to help him put it away. A folded piece of

up with trem

ldn't have open

TOWE

E SUITE

D TO:

so badly, I thou

n hardened. "You'r

"I'm being

ationship between Eva and me. Stop making up stories

augh. "Of course. Because I'm al

hed. "Don'

ll the truth for once!" The words rushed out of my mou

oked away, but I continued. "I had offers from prestigious firms. I could have built so

ely hold ba

g here, empty handed. I can't give you a child and I

n't about your career, Claire."

ten to me: the truth is you overthink ever

shocked by his w

rs you don't understand. I pay for your life, I pay for this house, I pay for

I said, not wanting t

e. It felt like something in me had

ation. He declared, like he

e are

sisted, turning away fro

if he was angry

is phone from the table. Almost

the screen lit up and a

e place

and Lucian's enti

diately, but it was too late.

e shattered and the

s the sound of my o