ce-sharp, suffocating, electric. The only sound was the slow drip of champag

t told her to step back, to avoid this woma

"You've grown bold," she murmured. "A pity

hair, clearly on edge. "Mothe

She shifted her gaze to Amara, eyes glittering. "Tell me, how does it feel to be the subject

you're here to humiliate me

u, dear," Eleanor said sweetly. "

icked hard. "Wh

ice from someone who's been in society longer than you've been alive-never walk aw

h twisted. "Wh

you think your husband's indiscretion was a secret? The moment you left last night, someone was alread

apped up. "You

nocently. "But I can't control w

Her hands curled into

If you'd stayed quiet, you could've remained the perfect wife.

not from fear. "You think

t change. "No, dear. But t

s to Ethan. "You're

t silence was louder

nal. Whatever fragile piece of her still b

eady. "Fine. You want a war, Eleanor? You'll

And you think you c

"I don't need to win. I just need t

nough!" he barked, his composure

cold. "You lost the right to tell me wh

ickering and dying in hi

ot my husband anymore. You're ju

the elevator. Behind her, Eleanor'

wling back, darl

or button and stared straight ahead, her refle

r her breath-more to herself than anyone else: "No

phone buzzed with a new notifica

s emotional breakdown outside corporate

le: her face, rain-soaked, e

designed

ator's metallic wall, expression unreada

int, dangerous smi

... She'd give them on