d struggling to process the

flicker of doubt, a tremor of her lip. There wa

voice a raw mix of disbelief and accusation. "What k

and. Her expression

w in the ER, Leo seems to have found a perfectly suitabl

deny. Leo adored Carly. Her easy laughter and endless games we

, but he knew she wasn't seeing the city skyline

ind, sharp and clear. His mother's si

ers and the city's elite. Kayli, as the hostess, had been wearing a

her element, pointedly ignoring her daughter-in-law. She'd spent

ntial investor, barely registering Kayli's presence. Sh

"friend of the family." She wore a silver dress that ca

ice carrying just enough for the nearby guests to hear. "

d asked wh

dear friend of Brody's. So much more interesting

her champagne flute. He'd seen her tuck a stray strand of dark hair behind her ea

ing his mother, his business partners. He'd even given a special me

mentioned h

directed solely at her. He realized now that she had slipped out of the party shortl

icant at the time, now

him back to the present. The cold resig

tood my place in your family. I'm a placeholder. An accessory you for

small step

relief. For you. For your mother. And for Le

There was no rage, no jealousy. Just the flat, dea

ames," she said. "

ing he thought he wanted.

like a gaping, terrifying loss. The foundation of his world, the one c

at the clock

else, I'd like you to leave.

missal. Clea

mall living room, his mind racing, searching for an angle

d agreement from the table and stormed toward the door. He w

ret this,"

ind him, the sound echoin

ntained finally shattered. Her shoulders slumped, and she sank onto the

buzzed on

a trembling hand. A

omorrow. You're going

ear. The battle w