lic smoothness that always made Serena feel small. She drove the Porsche up the l

chateau that looked more like a museum than

er seatbelt. She checked her reflection in the rearview mirror. Her skin was

eached the steps. The housekeeper's face was a mask of professi

n the study, Mrs.

e floor clicking sharply under her heels. The house smelled of lemon

in her clutch. A lo

off the hallway and locked the

a

and held the phon

other line. The Sterling merger covenant has a morality clause, Serena! Our primary investors are already ca

red, leaning her forehead against th

The narrative is that you're leaving Julian. If this merger falls through because you can't keep your legs clos

p pain in her ches

d. You bring Julian. You make him smile. You make h

ne wen

and splashed cold water on her face, ruining what was left of her makeup. She dr

slammed directly int

d, stumbl

d in the pocket of his tailored trousers. He wasn't looking at her

id of any inflection. It wasn't angry. It was ju

ind her back. "Traffic,"

rs. They were dark, impenetr

ed her eyes shut, her shoul

s against her temple. It was a feat

en you lie,"

his expression unreadable. He dropped his hand

r is s

t opposite ends, a vast expanse of mahogany between them. The silence w

omach was in knots. She watched Julian cut his steak with surgical precision.

Her voice sounded small

t look u

Vance family dinne

s wine. "I have a confe

ed into her tone. "I need you to go.

then, really looked at her, with a gaze that fe

"So your father's

d the lump in her throat. "B

placed it on the table. He walked down the length of the table

om him. He placed his hands on the back of her cha

voice traveled down her spine. "But marriage is a pa

e of the table. "I...

pped an octave, rougher now. "Fulfill your