ear pain in it. He heard another emotional move,

start,

older on her bedside table. She'd had her lawyer draw it up weeks ago, back when

et marri

red at the folder like it was a snake. His face hard

t," he said, his voice fla

e thing she wanted, the one thing that would have

dded, a hint of disappointment in his voic

"The rules? Was losing our c

narrowed.

stared at her, and she watched the flicker of sus

he said, his voice dripping with dis

d aside the biggest tragedy of her life like it was a made-up story. Her

alm. She pulled the folder back. Th

ting his eyes without a flicke

ask of irritation, slowly darkened into thunderous rage. He saw this

you say?"

nd cold, "we're over. I'm bowing out befo

her bedside, his hand clamping around her wrist like a shackle. He yanked

k, but her eyes

ce a venomous whisper near her ear. "Several of Beaumont

utal. "Make me unhappy, and

It wasn't just about her face. It was abou

her throat. "Three years ago, you approached me, you inves

e was the

admired my skills," she said, the last of her p

le said, his voice cold and final. "You and your fa

tasting like poison. "That's all

wrenched her wrist from his grip. Her eyes, dry

to be in your