ery

door of the coffee

air was a beacon. She waved frantically, her am

llied pack, and my only true f

f hot cocoa into my hands the moment I sat

ny. The birthday dinner. The acc

and on the table, m

eat his brain?" she whisper-sho

"You got that scar on your back because you shoved her out of the way! The scratch on her wris

few people knew. I was the

"What does it matter

grabbed my hand, her grip firm. "What

ight glinted in my eyes. "No. F

Stone Holdings was about to expire.

s designer fiancée.' All my achievements

"You're going solo? St

one who knows the business, someone I can

n dawning on her. She was a talented designer h

to partner with me?" Her vo

st person for

er the table. A new alliance

names, design aesthetics, target markets. For the first time in days, a genui

embered something.

tapped on a social media app.

Stone Holdings-my office. In the background, on my design

eful to Jagger for this opportunity. I prom

triumphant claim o

the warmth in my chest tu

ng in on your terri

g smile touched my lips. "Good. She

d out m

for the Stone Hold

professional. "I'm calling to schedule a meeting for tomorrow mor

tying me to my old life. Without looking back, I returned to the apartment I