evening traffic. Elara stared out the window, her reflection a pale, ghostly image against the

white on the steering wheel. "You gave him th

ocked a floodga

under the anonymous pseudonym "M," were causing a stir in the art world. A prominent galle

len in love with

ed her talent, but that his family would never approve of him being with an arti

s lips against her hair. "Once I have full control of the compa

moving instead into a small suite of rooms at the back of the Carlisle Estate, all to be closer to him.She became his shadow, his secret. The woman who made sure his f

omises. And he had just announced hi

into a bitter, nauseating poison. The pain in her heart was a

er voice softening as she gl

ovement. "I just... I don't understand

ply. She just

The mansion stood on a sprawling property overlooking the ocean, a monument to old

her seat, her expression a mixture of anger and deep concern. "Yo

door. The cold night air hit her face. As she put weight on

nt, her arm securely around Elara'

, this is my mess. I have to do this myself." She couldn't bear the thought

r car keys into Elara's hand. "If that bastard so much as raises his voice to yo

st at her friend's fierce loyalty. It was the

driveway. Each step sent a jolt of pain up her leg. Each step was a form o

er her disheveled appearance, her swollen ankle, and her pale, tear-streaked face. A flicke

tone polite but devoid of a

rand living room ahead. Her heart hammered

with the scent of an expensive perfume.

re, as if it owned the place, was a pristine white leather handbag

f the Kensi

thread of hope i

he grand staircase. El

o a casual cashmere sweater and dark trousers. His gold-rimmed glasses were

or a fraction of a second, but his expression didn'

into her palms. She waited for him to say

cool, handsome mask. He looked at her as if she were a mildly i

back,"

God, what happened to your foot?" N

flat, emp

missal. An erasure of everything they had been. In that moment, looking at the man she had