lungs dragged in a

e harsh boardroom light

dark suit jacket draped over her shoulder

her boss, was looking down at her.

u need me to ca

low, meant onl

shoved her hands against his

bling on the carpet. She quickly

gize, ev

ice flat. Profe

en drop in b

If you collapse again, the board will start asking questions about your fitness for this role, and

n minutes," Kian annou

ass from the table, filled it with warm water

it. Sit

ass. The warmth seeped i

you, Mr

ndle his concern. Not when her own hu

the gl

I need the

ly ran out of

setting. She splashed the freezing water onto her face

r, the wor

Kian offered as they

you. I orde

way before h

r drove toward Long Island. The hea

ction in the dark glass. Sh

massive iron gates of t

his eyes lingered on her face a second too long, carrying a hesi

brella. The wind whipped her hair across her face as sh

pen the heav

foyer was

d peeked around the corner, whispering furiously to another servant before scurrying away. The su

d review start tonight?" Julian

ooked at the

ostponed, Madam. By Mas

. Her hand st

osed to be at that meeting. Sh

ed from the gr

ward the guest wing. They were carryi

said. "Are we ex

t each other, terrified. They

cleared h

for a VIP guest to stay

her stomach. The cold from th

actly who t

Three years of living in this house

dded s

s

e sweeping staircase to her

ed bed looked like an island in the middle of

the floor-to-c

opened again. A black May

out. He held a la

enger door. He rea

ench coat stepped out

rin. It was a soft, gentle smile. A smile

e heavy velvet curtains. She pulle