air. She nee

ushing back her chair. "I ne

p from his conversation wi

double doors swung shut behind her. Then she slumped, gasping for br

ed with floor-to-ceiling shelves of silver platters and crystal glasswa

ng, pressing her forehead against the wir

handle

nd. "Henderso

n't He

hind him. The lock clicked with a sound th

hissed. "You

r. The pantry was tiny. There was nowhere to go. Her back

ncer se

mistress's dress to notice I'm gone,"

ng small and sharp. Ayla's disposable scalpel, gl

his thumb and forefing

for it. "Gi

He stepped closer, his body pressing against hers. She

to be a message? A surgeon's warning? I watched

, staring at his tie knot because

's always money. How much is he

es. "He pays her medical bills. She has cancer. Without

is eyes shifted, replaced by some

elf," he said soft

hat I ha

give her the scalpel. He placed his palm flat against the she

ed. "Last night

ll of her ear. She shivered violently. "Last nigh

hallway. The heavy trea

. He just watched her, his eye

's voice called out from

ering so hard she thought it would c

beat. Then anoth

re," he called out, his voice calm. "Look

The restroom is down th

nk y

otstep

shelf. Julian caught her, his arm wrapping aro

sed, pushing at his chest.

he countered. He grabbed her hand and slapped the scalp

," she w

this isn't over, Ayla. I do

g. And I'm cert

ed. "We'

the door and

she dared to leave. She checked her reflection in a silver

the dining room. Dess

s she sat down. "Where

m," she

late mousse off her spoon. "Julian had to leave e

ncer said dismissivel

the time the last guest left, Ayla's feet

d the stairs, de

called out from

hand on the r

g on the sofa, her shoes kicked off, her

aid, not looking at Ayla. "Chloe had too muc

left t

t room," Ayla said slowly, "so yo

. "It's my bed, Ayla. My hous

e gi

ed she felt was so pure, so s

," sh

the stairs. She didn't