dark shadows across the dining

cast a warm, flickering light over the silver platters. She stared down at the

ront door c

lored suit jacket. He looked exhausted, rubbing the

r face, forcing the coldness out of her eyes. She replac

ver to him, and reached

t her, his dark eyes scanning her face for any sign

eyelashes, avoidin

cold," she said sof

face. He let out a long breath, handing her the jacket. He thought she had

The only sound in the room was the sharp cl

. He looked at her, his tone drip

d smoothly. "Did you buy enough skincare? If you

he bit her lower lip, looking down at her

ike swallowing broken glass. A wave of intense nausea twisted her stomach, and she had to dig her fingernails violently into her own palms just to keep from leapin

ds felt like poison on her tongue. "I'm sorry about yesterday. I shouldn't have cornered you at the fune

h. A flash of genuine guilt crossed his

he table, his large

voice dropping into a gentle, patronizing purr.

very cell in her body screamed to pull away, to g

her hand over and gent

ith wide, innocent eyes. "I'm going crazy sitti

tly. The suspicion returned.

effortlessly. "He asked if I could come in and help organize the g

istant. It was a meaningless, trivial hobby. It would

out the sleek metal Amex Black Card, and s

yourself. If the gallery needs a sponsorshi

ack metal card. It was

smiled sweetly, slipping

He stood up, walking around the table. He leaned down an

nce with Tokyo," he sai

the hall. The heavy door

ubmissive smile vanished from Elena's fac

d where he had touched her. She rubbed the fabric against her

e napkin ont

She had her alibi. Now,

es fixed on the hallwa