t risk another close call. The next morning, Maria

familiar. I told her you were my cousin, just filling in for th

e's what you do now. Quit. I've deposited a year's

the other end of the line.

One loose end tied u

she was a shark of a lawyer, the sharpest mind I knew. We met at

me to prison. I slid the flash drive across the table. Her face,

as she gripped her coffee cup. "All of them. Your p

etly. "I just want to disappear. I want to leave

n's assets, not to mention a massive settlement

ke ash. "Their money is what they used to buy my silence

n do that. We'll prepare the papers to break the engagement, citing extreme emotional distress.

ome home" dinner Julian had proposed. The location was set: a private room at The Oak Room, the

il that made my blood run cold. Sasha saw my

m Dr. Sterling's dietary restrictions. The chef notes her

n horror. "Benzos? She

er perfect life, afraid I might make a scene. She was going to sedate me, just to make sure her evening with her family went smoo

could salvage something died. This was pure, calc

d that had nothing to do with humor. "Of course,

grabbed my hand. Her grip was firm,

going to let them think their plan is workin

the engagement. The legal renunciation of the Sterling name and fortune. Wit

since I was a child in the system, before they found me. A name that was truly mine. The flight was for Saturday nig

nt, Julian was there, humming

ting my eyes. "Have to fly out tonight, back t

He was going to Clara's.

I said, my

smissive peck on the chee

lied, the words

liness didn't hurt. It felt like freedom. I was no longer Aurora Sterling, the long-lost daughter, th