-Faced

yes and felt a flicker of something unf

ting to magnanimous condescension. "I admit, I handled things

redit card, and held it out to her. "Here. Go buy that

t his face. The insult was so profound

t, but it cut through his bluster. "Is t

ain, his grip tighter. "What do you want from me? To ma

e came from the doorway. "Brandon, p

n a white sundress. Her eyes were red-rimmed, her expre

er voice thick with manufactured tears. "It'

's hand. Stella snatch

down her cheek. "I know you hate me. You have every right. Bu

f false piety, made

tective arm around her. "See?" he said to Stella, his voi

d into Brandon's embrace, but over his shoulder, her eyes met Stella's. For a fl

e a declaration of war. "Don't worry about the rest of your thing

casual, cruel c

w, cold smile spread across her

d you we

shift, nodded hesit

ould be sincer

sincere!" Br

s. She remembered every subtle undermining, every time Amber h

single st

flin

r, yet it filled the room. "Then l

ould process her words,