as long gone. On the nightstand, a crisp piece of his personal stationery lay where his phon

l in its efficiency, yet reinforcing

he previous night burned away by hours of s

five times before he answered, his voice sharp and preoccupied. In the backgr

sked, his ton

every ounce of strength she possessed. "Julian," sh

vanished. She could picture him perfectly: frowning

me back, colder than she had ever heard it. "R

arsed in the dark. "I'm tired of it

ating than the last. She held her breath, wait

o words. "U

questions. No arguments. He had processed her departu

back onto the bed, a choked sob finally escapin

mpletely, her work phone buzzed on the nightsta

"Chloe! It's gone! The Sterling merger contract, the one for

nal hell. She remembered the contract. A thick, blue folder. S

g room, twice!" Megan wailed. "If we

pain. "Don't panic, Megan," she said, her voice regainin

he reflection in the mirror showing a pale, hollowed-out version of herself. The breakup had shattered her,