house was finally quiet. Georgina had left an

ly light coming from a small desk lamp. The folder containin

r handl

nilla perfume. He loosened his tie-the blue one-and tossed it on

is temples. "What are you doing sittin

aiting for an apology, you're going to be waiting a long time. You emba

ea said. Her v

older across the

alked over, glancing down at the paperwork.

and laughed. It was a

across the polished wood and nearly fell off the edge. "Is this your new negotiati

jewelry, Easto

and amusement. "Althea, be realistic. You have no job. You have no money. You haven't

. "You won't last a week without the Harrington trust fund.

d the front of her jeans-she

he said. "Check the terms. I'

ker of uncertainty crossed his face

expensive alcohol and entitlement. "Stop playing games. Go upstairs, take a bath, and we'

ound his eyes, the slight bloat in his face from the drinking. She looked

re. Maybe he

Easton,"

d walked out

her, his voice echoing in the hallway, "I'm cuttin

on suitcase was waiting. She had packed it hours ago. No designer bags.

he had bought her for her birthday-the one that was technically in the company's n

door. The night air rus

ting at the curb. Not

ook back at the looming mansion that had b

a'am?" the d

dark windows of the

Biomedical Research," she sa