y leaving with just that?" she asked lightly. "Or are you hoping

Lilah reached out and yanked

spilled across the marble floor-simp

de, its lid falling open, revealing a bracelet studded with deep-

wn to it. Lilah's

ine, the legendary jewelry designer-a creation once valued

y magazines, never imagining she would see it

original," Lilah exclaimed, her voice sharp with accusation. "It's wort

n calmly and picke

monds shimmered softly, their light

ered unmistakably in th

, Roger's mother. She had given it to Katherine shortly befor

have to take it? You're not even our biological daughter. That br

walk out the door with someone he no longer acknowledged as family. "K

uine disbelief-not at their greed, but

. "And what makes you think it was

r been a purchase. It

kindness. She had been her shelter, her warmth, her quiet refuge in a cold household. Inspi

, it had naturally re

poke, Lilah's

e. "If you really don't want to give it back, I won't force you. I just

looked straight at Lilah. "

blade. Lilah froze, her m

iella stiffe

five years ago-long after Katr

ely surviving. Even possessing a million dollar

Hazel could never have

almost desperate. "Even if it wasn't Grandma who bought t

she noticed the strange expressions o

I wasted my breath arguing with someone this foolish." With

to follow her, but Roger

he said. "That bra

o be fake. Otherwise, how could Kather

bably bought a cheap imitation to show off. Don't wor

h disappointment li

had looked re

only daughter of the Warren couple now. An

he window as a line of helicopters swept across the sky, their engines de

he hillside, her small bag slung over one sho

were heading str

rass as they descended, landing smoothly nea

n, a man had stepped out

ce commanding, unmistakably striking. With long strides

," he said smoothly. "You wer