idtown. It smelled of oil paint and old money. It was the kind of place where no one asked

hands wrapped around a delicate porc

, looking impeccable in a tailored suit, a st

eat across from her

ly, her voice thick with concern. "I s

steady. "I don't need your apo

do this to me? What is the real story behind the Woods-Bal

ne of her body. Giovanni was a dangerous enemy. The Baldwins were a dynasty

r's deal with Harold. He thinks the merger was your family's idea, a hostile move af

h twisting. "What deal? W

they were unstable. When Dakota died in that car crash, the partnership died with her. The Baldwins were hemorrhaging money. Your father, seeing an opportunit

elt a coldness seep into her bones, a coldness

the pieces clicking into place.

Giovanni... he saw it as a betrayal. An insult to Dakota's memory. He thinks your family capitalized on his tragedy. He wanted to punish you.

n a wife. She was a bargaining chip. A walking contract clause for the Baldwin legacy. An

temic. She was a commodity, and she had been

r. "So, his sudden concern, his offers of money and a united front...

unable to meet her eyes. "I'm

e. The anger had burned away, leaving only a

her voice completely devoid

over her, but she felt detached from it all. She was living in a different world

was empty. Giovanni was still out, probably tearing

small portfolio was still sitting

ent ring off her finger and placed it on the

r, dusting a table that didn't need dusting. The housekeeper

. Baldwin," Ma

She turned back, looking t

said firmly. "My n

r with a soft, final click. She walked past the doorman, out into

o alone, broke, and broken. A