folder, her knuckles white from the force of her grip. She didn't look at them. She refused t

aw tighten. He watched her, a flicker of somet

her escape so close

cloying, stopped her again. "Cou

ack to them. She didn't turn ar

ittle laugh, "it's so tricky. I

nd bracelet, its clasp undone. She held it o

the bracelet. The air r

, the bidding reaching a figure with seven digits. She remembered the thrill she'd felt, the secret, foolish h

s on another

t beautiful? It was an engagement gift from Julian. H

ict, a death sentence for a fantasy she hadn

d herself to breathe, to stand steady. She reached out, her fingers col

l with it," she murmured, her voice dripping with condescension.

nded like a p

lly found their purchase. The clasp clicked shut wi

directly. She smiled-a perfect,

ing," she said, her voic

like a shield, and walked out of the office, her back ramrod straight. S