es of the master bedroom, which Evangeline had been silently banished from mo

t jeans, a few sweaters, her sketchpad. She didn't want the clothes Cedric ha

ume low, providing a murmur of background no

ess world," the anchor's vo

nced up. Her b

d photo from a gala last year, but they looked like a power

ad: MALONE & SERRANO:

e was holding. She grabbed the

n the week," the reporter chirped excitedly. "When asked for comment, Ms. Serrano's representati

o be engaged to another woman, and he hadn't even bothered to deny it.

it was quickly burned away by a

her phone

ine connected. Her voice was icy, devoid o

? I wasn't e

pers. Finaliz

lone, the prenuptial agreement is very strict. If we rush this

ff. "I don't want his alimony. I want out. Sen

'am, th

t do

oked tired. Pale. Her eyes were red-rimmed from crying. She looked like a victim. She looked like exa

she wh

ght. She wasn't going to fade away while they to

s a garment bag there, pushed to the very back

isited. It was blood-red silk. A deep, violent crimson. It was backless, with a plunging neckline and a s

felt cool and slippery against her skin as she pulled it

he grabbed the darkest, boldest red lipstick she owned. She applied it with precis

e iPad linked to the house account.

It was where he did business.

ctions from last month, the contingency file is attached. She had asked him to prepare this weeks

the machine whirring rhythmically. She didn't stapl

hoved the folder inside, and

red lights and adrenaline. Her knuck

he valet looked at her battered Honda wi

out, the red dress catching the streetlights like l

er voice held a steeliness he hadn't expected

bouncer, a massive man with a cl

oked her up and down, clearly assuming she

" Evangeline said

dric Malone is unmarried

lutch and pulled out the Black Card-the supplementary American Ex

eader on the podium before

y. A green light flashed

ed at the screen, then at her. He ste

gies, Mrs

m without a glance. The h

gars. Jazz music played softly, creating a sophisticated hu

ls clicking loudly on the marble steps

e top. She sca

e he

ded by a group of sycophants in suits. And right nex

her hand resting possessively on his forearm. She

wirling his drink, his gaze u

figure in red standing

idn't recognize her for a split second. The confident, dangerous woman in the

he approached. The conve

their table, casting a long shadow over Chloie. She smiled, bu