arlisl

me as its rightful owner. Julian had signed the transf

ry last trace of Julian and Scarlet

tt had given me. The brilliant pink diamond glitte

iar scents and rhythms, was its own declaration of sovereignty. This meal

rang. I checked the security m

t of the elevator. Scarlett trailed behind them, cl

ips as I buzzed them i

. I remained seated on the living roo

scanning the room. When she saw me, her f

as ever." As she spoke, her gaze fell on the enormous

ening." I rose, my post

me act like the lady of the ho

dly behind him. "Hell

're here too! Please, come in and sit down. Julian, really

sliced through Scarlett, her disapproval of this

lder woman's scrutiny, her ar

hin tilted up as she gestured toward Co

introduction. "Mom, this

child another glance, instead sweeping past them to take t

anted Scarlett and Cody to sit, but they stood fr

eryone standing? Please, sit. Miss Hicks,

came. My words were a constant reminder that this woman, whom she

tt and Cody in a corner, as f

"I heard you and Julian had a little disagreement. It's

g the wine in my glass, making the diamond flash.

ense. After seven years together,

ing a bakery instead of working for a corporation-and then chiding Jul

, I smiled sweetly. "Mrs. Sterling, do yo

r world, I was the one who had

"that just three days ago, your son transferred several million do

head whipped aroun

eep, blotchy red. "Mom,

t curious, Mrs. Sterling. Is this the Sterling family's idea of a proper upbringing? To teach your s

across Eleanor's perfectly composed