was cruel. It illuminated the dust motes dancing in the air and highli

hadn't c

ected was worsening. She sat up slowly, her joints stiff. She checked her phone. No texts.

her hand, startlin

Her voice

t's Martha, from t

r, ignoring the wave of di

you. He keeps repeating 'Saturday protocol' and rocking. He th

ally called Julian every evening at 7:00 PM sharp. Last ni

ing late. Tell him I'll bring his favorite red velvet

, Ms. Vanderbi

n in the world who needed her. If she... if things got worse... what would happen to him? Sebastian viewed him as a line it

ctronic beep of t

tying the sash tight around her waist to hide how thin she had become. S

new suit, and he smelled of shower gel and... something floral. Sant

n unreadable. He didn't look guilty. He l

sland and placed a small, velve

eye contact. He began taking things out

ersal language of the Vanderbilt men: I mess

er and flippe

aved with diamonds. It was worth more than most people's annu

ea. It was a shackle. A golde

rine asked, her voic

fee. "It was a false alarm. But she's fragile, Catherin

ated. "So you missed our annive

ok a sip of the black coffee. "I can't abandon her. Our fami

box shut. The sound was like

e, Sebastian?

table. Sebastian set his mug down slowly. He l

e have a life that works. Don't make

led out a thick document. He slid it across

the NDA. I need

icking up the papers

Serena's

lood drain from her

f he were discussing the weather. "She needs stabilit

ndle your public image?" Catherine laughed, a bitter, jagged sound. "And

rsonal connections," Sebastian said, checking his wa

tect

triangle. If you sign this, you acknowledge her role

motional or otherwise-into his daily life, into the very building where Catherine so

artier bracelet. Th

r Julian's facility. If I divorce him now, the pre-nup gives me almost nothi

. She had to en

Catherine s

ooked confu

okes, the nib tearing the paper slightly. "But in two years... if we aren't a real family... if this..."

e was bluffing. He thought she was addicted to the lifestyle, to

d dismissively

acceptance settling in her chest. If this sickness is wh

," sh

watch again. "I have

ed out, not even pausing to kiss

he red velvet box. She didn't put it on. She walked t

spare batteries, were five other velvet boxes. Ti

celet in with the others a