cked the door behind her and walked straigh

cony. The cool New York evening breeze bit through her

single digital footprint. She swiftly removed her primary SIM card and inserted a pre-paid, untraceable burner chip she had h

ne ran

op-tier Manhattan divorce attorney, ans

breath. Her voice w

o trigger the exit

nd of keyboard clacking in the

ly cross the line

t the guest wing windows below. A warm yello

ately switched

to audit Julian's offshore accou

very wire transfer made to Ava Monroe over t

lope warned. "He will try to paint you as unstable. You need

ked into the

ed. "I will be the perfect, bl

Cordelia immediately

nch doors and drew the heavy blackout curta

pped off her clothes. She threw the navy blazer

e scrubbed her skin with a loofah until it was bright red, desperatel

n a plush white robe. She sat on the ed

k on the nightstand.

returned to t

rough the glossy pages with genuine relaxation. A str

opening and closing echoed through the

f the bedside lamp. The room w

fell asleep quickly. She was complete

light streaming through a small gap in th

ere sweater and fitted jeans. She p

noticed the staff whispering i

d talking as Cordelia approached. Mari

lia p

sunroom, Maria?" Cordelia a

rs. Astor... Mr. Astor requested breakfast t

fectly placid. Not a single muscle

d warmly

"Just bring me a simple black

e wicker table, pulled out her iPad, and began reviewing h