re

design studio. My sanctuary. The place I had built from the ground up

e. He never wore casual clothes when we were together. I had once suggested we get matching shirts for a vacation, and he had dismissed the idea, saying

the architectural models. Her expression shifted from casual disdain to genuine surpris

nd with a bewildered expression. He couldn't grasp why I would bother. "Clare, I gave

rital assets, not because I needed his money, but because I deserved it. He had handed it

ng over a design sketch. I turned to face them, my expressi

, my voice even, steady. "It has no

gry, playing a part. He couldn't comprehend genuine independence or pa

. "Clare, darling, it's so nice to see you. Elliot has told me so much about your new lit

betraying no emotion. "It's a succes

e to bristle, to show some weakness. My

een, then excused himself, stepping outside to take the ca

umphant, predatory smirk. Her eyes, usually wide and innocent, narrowed

for you, yes. But don't think for a second you've won. He's only doing it out of a misguide

I'm the one who belongs in the Fields family, not some middle-class girl who had to chase after El

fore you even think about it, you'll sign this." She pulled a folded legal document from her designer handba

. I kept my eyes locked on hers, my voice

Haylee? And yet here you are, delivering legal threats on behalf of a woman wh

-a tiny crack in

Elliot doesn't even know yet. About the pregnancy I terminated. About the

h the quiet satisfaction of holdi

cument. I'll add it to m