ks of red and gold through the win

than's building. Her hands were clamped around the steering wheel,

y syllable onto her memory. The giggles, the condescension, the cold-bloo

up the dark interior of the

e a surprise for you tonigh

uddering breath, forcing the bile down. Calm. She had to be calm. Sh

over the screen,

ishing touches on my designs. I'

e passenger seat, next to th

, rented studio space downtown. An idea was taking shape in her mind, cold and sharp as

k eyeshadow under her eyes, a perfect imitation of exhausti

ou up all night working?" His voice was a mask of concern, b

ending to be hesitant. "This collection... it's ev

ehind a sip of coffee. "Of course, baby. I'm so proud of y

eautifully dressed Ashley left his apartment. Eliana had told him

, her heart a cold, heavy stone in her chest a

lve. She parked her car, pulled on a pair of oversized sunglasses and

ge license counter, laughing as Ashley flashed a diamond r

her phone. She zoomed in, capturing their smiling faces, the documents they signed, the clerk h

cure, encrypted cloud server. T

pass through to exit. She timed it perfectly, stepping out from behind a

pitch-perfect blend of surprise and con

replaced by sheer panic

pulling it behind his back. "We, uh, a friend of Ash

ratulations." She let the lie hang in the air for a moment before turning the conversation. "Ethan, honey, I

rwhelming. They thought they had dodged a bulle

mazing," Ethan said, his smil

Ashley added, her voice dr

said her goodbyes. The second she turned the corn

hem on camera, and on audio. Lying. Chea

right where s