villa, the halls breathe

of silk and shadow. She jolted awake as the door c

ou do to Er

Lainey rose slowly from the bed. The satin sheets slid aw

" she said softly, lifting her chi

e distance and s

rin, you sent her away,

is gaze as it cut

ughed under her breath,

it," she repli

ou have. I will never want someone so petty and cruel, an

a quiet storm gath

their home. Her mother vanished in the smok

lly found her rescuer, and it was

f to chase him, swallowing pride wit

time, effort, and money would end wit

ifts I gave you meant nothing?" s

ndness makes my skin crawl, and every gift you handed

ngle one," Lainey sai

red at her. "What ar

e replied coolly. "You can give

r head and said with quiet mockery, "What's wrong, can't

ned, the warmth dra

ake me care?" he said flatly. "Wa

dding shut before he returned moments

ugh the air, shar

s back," he said, setting them

within three seconds she woul

. T

called after him, voic

ing to apologize, go ahead. Tonight is Erin's birthday,

r betraying how love had once blinded

d, voice even. "Those clothes o

dening into contempt. He stripped them off in a rus

turning hollow around her, and rememb