was a stranger. She wore a simple, sleeveless white dress with sharp, clean lines. It was

his voice a low murmur. "Once you s

past life was gone, burned away in a hospital bed. In her place was someone f

in a silent cascade of light. A hundred camera flashes went off at once, a relentless, blinding strobe

s outlet in New York was here, expecting a fluffy piece about the soci

rters smelled blood in the water. She ignored the prepared statement her PR team had drafted and l

ited you all here today to make an announcement." She paused, letting the anticipation build. "Effect

ny of gasps, frantic typing, and r

can you give us a reason?" a re

le. She let her gaze sweep over the frenzied

e waited until every eye was on her again. "I have no desire for my future chil

dacious, so brutally direct, that it left them momentarily speechl

orter shouted. "Are you say

direct your questions to my former best friend, Ms. Belinda Melton. And whi

e other woman and confirmed the pregnancy. She had handed

nded into utte

oes not tolerate deceit

age. Caleb and two security guards materialized at her side, form

egan to vibrate violently. Braxton's name flashed on the screen. Sh

e screen. Her face was on the screen, next to a photo of a smiling Braxton and a demure-looking Belinda. The hea

It was the cold, clean feeling of a debt being paid. This was for h

cern. He handed her a new, unopened phone. "You'll need th

around the cool metal. She powe

shriek. "SLOANE! YOU ABSOLUTE LUNATIC! YOU'RE ON

n this new life, a genuine smile touched

My treat. We're celebrat