She looked desperately at her mother, her prac

knew. Of course, she knew Falon had no i

dismissive hand at Anya. "It's just a silly pin! Falon liked it, so

rative. Theft became a gift.

er presence forcing Veronica to step aside. "Take it off yourse

nst a glass coffee table. The cryst

t Grant Sterlin

table with a soft, definitive clin

an undeniable authority. "I believe the ownership o

lear verdict. He w

ing here to impress him, to solidify the union between their families. Now, he was

to end t

rmès handbag from a nearby chair. She pulled

led a figure, tore the check from the book

high, her expression a mas

ugh for Grant to hear. "Take the money, forget th

a's grief, on her mother's memory. In Veronica

g her panic. She looked at Anya as if she we

s arrogant face. A strange, cold pity washed o

hed out

nto a triumphant smirk.

er. Instead, her fingers closed aroun

ca, Falon, and Grant, she tore the fift

rr

ockingly loud in

r to the expensive Persian ru

t for sale," she said, h

d stopped directly in front of Falon. The

tterfly brooch from Falon's dress. She didn't touch the fabri

ooch, its cool, familiar weight a

e last time to fa

h word a stone laid on the grave of their shared history. "Whatever debt you t

oor. She didn't run. She walked with a straight back and a steady pace

ving the wreckage of their lies and their fifty-thousand-dollar