er oversized, outdated coat. The noise of the city rushed

b. Dirty water splashed against her pant

ediately dropped her gaze, her shoulders hunching forward in the

g glass skyscrapers pierced the clouds. That was Carson Lon

apped her arms around her waist. Her cold fingers

in her head. She had to be at the ha

ion. She walked toward the Upper East Sid

. Through the pristine glass window, s

years ago, before the fire, Jane

small bell chimed. The sudden blast of w

e's ragged clothes and the fading bruises on her face. The c

embling finger at

ice was raspy, sounding like s

imes the amount in Jane's pocket. She gav

pocket and pulled out the crisp twenty-dollar

I buy something cheaper? Even if they

r as change, then walked over to a plastic bucket in the corner meant for the trash. She

. She held the dying flowers against h

Jane whispere

ison Avenue. With every step closer to the hos

entrance. The revolving doors spun endlessl

e of intense shame washed over her. She did not de

heard Blaire's agonizing s

own. She clenched her jaw and forced her stif

goosebumps on her arms. She

mber for Blaire Low

Jane's face. She immediately reached under th

urse demanded, her v

ttered, taking a step back

sion screen mounted on the lobby wall

e snapped her head up a

on L

errifyingly cold. Five years had made him look even more ruthless.

marched across the lobby flo

desk and ran toward the elevator banks

ith an orderly push

nstruments crashed onto the marble f

topped and stared at th

behind her back. A sharp pain shot through her shoulder. She

less steel doors of the priv

ards. She wore a custom Chanel suit. Her face was ele

ith Lowe. Bl