alanced on her knees. The screen displayed the business plan for

e that it slammed against the wall. Julian strode in, bringing

er eyes lifting to meet his. They

sharp tug, his gaze preda

ing over her. "Call off the lawyers,

er voice perfectly level. "The petition

er side of her, trapping her. His body formed a cage around her, an blatant att

alous," he murmured, his voice a low rumble. "Behave yourself, and t

and the faint, floral notes of Seraphina's signature perfume

ression one of undisguised revuls

shot out, grabbing her chin, forcing her

ght with fury. "You can't survive without the lif

voice the scathing retort on her tongue, a fra

rle

hed in her hand. She saw the scene-her father looming over her mother, his ha

she screamed, launchi

n's shoulder with surpri

kward, her spine connecting sharply with the hard armre

ed and scooped Scarlett into his arms, m

neck. She pointed a trembling finger at Evelyn. "S

daughter's head. "You're right, sweetheart," he said, his voice soft for Scarl

. She watched the two of them, a father comforting a daughter agains

the bedroom. He paused at the door, looking back at her.

r clicked shut,

her hands. They were trembling slightly. The last bit of warmth ins

le and began to scrub at her chin, at the place his fin

ted folder, one Julian knew nothing about. On the screen, a d

ached calculation. She was no longer a

the cushion beside her

located. A villa in the Hamptons.

ingle word in re

mptons herself. She would uncover every last