rough the city with

l felt a million miles away. Averie stared out the window, watching the familiar

lap, her knuckles white. She f

. He simply sat beside her, an imposing, silent presence. He didn't

d compartment and pulled out a bottl

anaged to say, her

id in her hands. She twiste

his voice a low baritone that seem

laced by a cold, clear purpose. She knew what she had to do next.

te," she said,

e in his otherwise impassive expression. He leaned forwa

filled with screenshots. Dozens of them. Anonymous texts she had received over the past six months, each

sent by someone jealous of her life. She had chosen to believe the

wich compound. The long, winding driveway was lined with perfectly manicured trees. It wa

ached it, his face a mask of professional surprise

ord, her heels echoing in the c

a silk armchair, a delicate teacup in her hand. She was the pi

practiced smile upon her. "Averie, darling.

nd placed her phone on its polished surface, the screen lit up. It showe

ed. Her eyes, the same cool gray as

this?" Her voice was l

verie replied, her own voice just as cold. "T

l, her tone becoming condescending, dismissive. "All couples have their disagr

ndled? Like you 'handled' the intern from his office last y

s face. She hadn't known Averie

official Hayes family social media accounts. Right now. Announcing

. "Do you have any idea what this will do to our families'

photos-Preston kissing a brunette on a yacht-and attached it to a new message. The r

you'd prefer this version of the story? I'm sure it wou

cting. The threat was real. Averie wasn't bluffing. This

n. It was a battle of wills, and for the firs

the table. Her fingers flew across the screen, her movements stiff w

nsideration, the Hayes and Stein families announce the amicable diss

e statement to her own account. She adde

Wishing him

. The deed was done. T

ayes," she said, t

ruins of her carefully constructed public image, alre

st. "Miss Stein. Mrs. Hayes would like a word. She asked me to convey her hopes that you mig

to discuss." She stepped past him and into

rk shadow at the end of the drive. Fielding was leaning against it, arms crossed, as if

er her. But beneath it, there was a flicker of some