n to the suitcase at her feet. A flicker of surprise crossed his handso

late?" he asked, his tone as casual as if

wo years. He was dressed in an impeccably tailored suit,

cold and clinical, like an X-ray trying to se

Julissa." A note of imp

ong, Haskell? Did you finally finish celebrating you

ined unchanged. "I don't know what you're talking about.

ly. If she hadn't seen the photograp

acket onto the sofa. As the fabric settled, a scent wafted towar

Coco Made

l. It was Anastasia

a silent, vicious s

-deception shattered

the empty dining table and the chao

d you I wasn't coming home for dinner. Why do you do this

ftly, her voice hollow. "I

ou," Haskell said, pinching the

ed him the screen. The call log was pr

t even be bothered to m

rly gone. "I've had a long day. I don't have the e

for her suitcase. "Put your t

g a sharp step back as

uiet, but it was sharp with a chi

d. A storm brewed in his gray

h escaped her. "You come home smelling of

ars. What am I to you? A decoration? A

d out of her, each

ion flat and rehearsed. "Her husband died. It's

r. "A friend whose arm you hold like a lover? A friend whos

explaining. "This is my business," he said, his voice cold

f hope in Julissa's heart. Her duty? Her duty was to

aid, her voice suddenly calm.

lled her suitcase, turned, and press

hing her resolute back. The crystal chande