a's

his expensive suit, checking his phone, barely noticin

we need

it? I'll be back soon. I hav

firmly. "It

ook up. Really look at me, mayb

rs across the k

this?" h

rce p

down at them. Then he laugh

re jo

m n

about last night. I get it, ok

ke up three y

s amusing. "You're being dramatic. So I missed one

ice was calm. Steady. "It's about you missing every di

e a ca

ave Vi

ctoria is my business p

e woman you wis

s ridi

me, Damien? When was the last time you asked about my day? Wh

idn't have to. Because

e papers," I

" He set the papers down on the table. "Take a few da

ional. This mar

nk you can just walk away from me? Where will you go, Elena? What

they all thought. Wha

nothing w

ay, already dressed for the da

all this

," Damien said dismissive

e now? Poor pathetic Elena.

ining her mother. They both loo

pers, Damien

e tonight, I expect these papers to be gone and

t like that. Without sp

t want you bringing shame to my son. Not now he just closed a major deal.

e," I sai

did. They thought I was trapped. Th

idea who I

t much. Just essentials. Everything else in this house was f

e rang.

it?" my br

for the

nd

. Said I wa

e went cold.

hey think I have

lease come home and

r is always ready t

sappear first complete

o you wa

I need time to remember who I

vate jet will be ready in two hours, penthouse in Paris, full

nk y

pay for every tear you

t first, I n

The bed we'd barely slept in together. The closet full of clot

that girl

modest sedan that was laughable compared to what I act

ed with messa

drian, about time.

ously, I wi

I'm here. What

eir and my childhood best friend who'd bee

ed because I was stupi

ve the punch

're really

really d

come home and be who yo

t greeted me by my real name, Elena Sterling, and for

O and daughter of one of the most

Let myself forget it

r ag

mien was going about his day, thinking I'd be home tonight with dinner ready. So

had n

the woman they'd treated like garbage,

my eyes a

as gone. Let them

n the truth