joy had long frozen into a tense and awkward silence. Several

her arm, lowered his voice, and suppressed anger: "Put the bag

looked up at his face. She didn't struggle, just stared at h

accompanied only by the crisp sound of

r office on Monday." Her voice was clear, echoing

y, please." She grabbed Avery's arm. "Don't do that. Don't let

ed her wrist and shook it off. The disgust in that tiny movement was so intense that Celin

g an octave. "You see who she is, right? A cold-blooded, heartl

up to the huge double doors of the penthouse, pulled o

walked straight into th

ly isolating her from that world full of suffocating lies. Avery

ecame ligh

nd luxury cars belonging to the Carlyle Group, heading to the farthest corner. There, under the dust cover was her own

the passenger seat, and slid into the cab.

East Side. She drove onto Franklin D. Roosevelt Avenue, headed north, then turned onto I-95. The city lig

ard Greenwich, Conn

stone house, covered in ivy, exuding the tranquil dignity of old-fashioned wealthy that the Carlisle

long gravel driveway, the front door opened,

ment Avery got out of the car, Diana rushed forward and hugged her tightly. I

her tightly, her voice t

r wrinkles, but his eyes remained as before-kind and wise. He looked at the suitcase, then at his daughter's pale a

arming her palms with a cup of hot tea. She felt all the tension accumulated

smashed a glass of crystal whiskey against the wall.

wants to scare me. Within a month, she'll come

ill, darling. A woman like her...... Without

ked at his parents and said fi

t and covered her hand. "Alright." He said sim

study wall-those strong, resilient people who single-

wouldn't just survive. She would fight-for her freedom, for

bed. The sheets scent of lavender and home. For the first time in he

bright. Meanwhile, in Man