st of t

to the estate on Long Island," Julian sai

d to bury the old one. "I need to go back to my apartmen

utiny in their depths. He did not object. "Mr. Benson

rn Brandon's engagement ring for two years, yet she'd never told him about the orphanage. It was the one part of her past she'd buried completely. Withou

bserved the act in the rearview m

, Stella took a breath. She used her key to open the door

door. His mug on the coffee table. On the wall hung a large,

d the heavy frame off its hook, and let it drop. The gl

e went

s. Her movements were swift, efficient, brutal. He

ng else

dy bear from their first anniversary. All of it went into the black bags. She was erasing him

the suitcases down to the car. Stella was dragging t

Price st

es, the trash bags. His eyes landed on the teddy

He still thought

cending impatience she had mistaken for authority for so long

ling from his touch. She looked at him,

urdled. "The ring? You threw away the ring?" He took a step cl

s laugh escaped h

gestured around the ransacked apartment.

" she said, her voice chillingly calm.

ssed Mr. Benson standing by the open door, then flickered to t

toward the butler. "Found a replacement al

n. She picked up the last bag of

mask of fury. "You're not going