felt a sharp pain wi

he was tying a silk tie in front of the mirror. Ro

tion, a cold smile playi

o talk abo

you couldn't afford a studio in this city. What have you been doing fo

ave up my PhD from Columbia University and my career as Christie's younge

I thought you were smart enough

he hospital

la ran in crying, clutching a limited-edition doll tig

ad

turning around, he pushed Chloe aside and knel

n, Daddy, please fix it

stay and keep the Strauss doll company,"

ay, a wave of dizziness washing over her. "Julian, I don't

or five minutes?" He scooped Stella up in his arms, turned, and left, his face ful

e said, her voice trembling. "I

ed his coat, his eyes icy. "You'

ith childlike hostility. "You're such a bad woman. You di

d to, comforted, and bandaged for fiv

colleague, a gentle invitation to return to the company. She had

Think about who you are, Chloe.

d and led her out. T

ng tightly to the wardrobe to keep her balance. The comfort of this life-ease,

came from th

t of orchids-Chloe's favorite orchids-the porcelain shattering on the whi

this house treated her like an o

and turned to wa

he glass table. She picked it up and tossed it into

roke out. She looked around-priceless works of art, first

e bottom drawer of

he old art journal, her finge

an auct

aint scratches on it, each scratch carrying a memory-the thrill of record-bre

ed to do

d: You can't live a

een turned in

le. She picked it up, walked to the shredder, and

the invitation, Mrs. Julia

; the gavel in her

Chloe