things over afterward, solemnly h

ercent of the shares un

to her parents back then. The two of them grew up toget

s hand, studying her noticeably thin

l make it right with you. For now, lis

and, her long lashes lowering to con

, would you take these sh

ne answered without hesitation, but Irene ca

believe she and Ethan would

the agreement wi

apartment overseas while beginning to s

alled relentlessly, frantic and despe

ween feigned humility

know your place. Endure what you m

y. The cash flow can't break

came in was delete

ered she wasn't his biological daughter, h

c office, clutching her design drafts, helpless over

ctly what she was doing now, n

e, her life would have veered o

l. Soaked through, Irene ended the final call a

, removed his wool coat still warm with bod

ne? We've m

guided her inside. She watched, almost

and living expenses will

, he frowned slightly and reached out to

fever, the kind that strikes afte

eakly, "Why are

ad. "I promised your mother that if I ev

wed, she consulted him

r told him was her dec

from her life entirely, while Go

d over Gordon as his father-in-law

s passed, and every relationship see

emon

d his on the digital map. It was far, far enough to

had once asked smugly, "Irene, was I

a noncomm

h, he w

d already set a standard none of

he always appeared after every storm, like a brillia

ly sent him an email. "You were rig