f shame, his face hardened with annoyance. Being caught, be

over her. "Are you following me now?" he sneered, his voice low an

the villain. "Don't play games. You

entence. It ignited the last of h

d in the suddenly silent ro

ark already blooming on his skin. He stared at her, his eyes wide wi

e ice. "Branson Burton," she said, her

him the satisfaction of a backward glance. She hear

rced a laugh. "Watch," he announced to Ryder and the others, his voice overly lo

claim his dominance. "I'll bet my new

hailed a cab in the cold rain and gave th

that had never been real. She moved through the rooms with cold efficiency, pulling her few clothes fr

day, a gift she'd saved for months to afford. A bitter, hum

pare key from her pocket and placed it squarely in the center. A final, silent statement. Then

tale cigarettes and disinfectant. The contrast between the peeling wallpaper

mpy bed when her phone buzzed.

posed her features into a bright smile before answering. Eleanor's face

things with you and Branson? Ar

ttle, like it might crack. She couldn't tell her the truth.

he l

e miraculously steady. "He already pro

me of the lines of pain and worry. She looked happier than she had

Julia felt a strange mix of guilt and steely resolve. She had ma

on in the dark screen of her phone. She had to get married. Not for love, n

oot and grew with terrifying speed. I

stopping on a name: Paige Reynolds. Her agen