as ripped o

her skin like a slap. She curled into a bal

an's voice

dressed for work, immaculate in a

is it?" s

ling sorry for yourself,"

d and wa

out of bed. She put on

ding, not sitting. He was leaning a

f eggs in front of her. Serena picked up her f

ry?" Juli

f dry whole-wheat toast from the rack, breaki

sh, but the food was bland, somethin

er lips together

dripping with sarcasm. "Carrying all those bo

looked up at him

really think you could pawn your jewelry an

her voice trembling. "I ca

the last five years, has been Sterling money. So technically

t's my career! And I'd rather sell every stitch of clothing I

, humorless sound. "I've given you a palace. I've g

left t

d," she w

ry w

and pulled out a card. It was bla

It slid across the wood and s

Take it. Fund your little movie. Stop embar

. It represented freedom.

esented

ked up the card, and

she

at her hand. H

t," he

y, Julian. I want a husband who re

the card o

t the card on the rug, then back at her face. His eyes w

had to tilt her head back to look at him. He gri

ine. Do it your way. But tonight is the Vance dinner. You figure out

d out of the room. The front door s

air. She put her head on the