lis's wrist. She leaned in close, her voice a

now and 'apologize' properly. Otherwise, you can prepare to f

reathtaking. Five hundred thousand dollars? She w

reflex than real power-she ripped her arm free

sane! I'm

t fund your dear mother left you? You're almost old enough to access it. Or, you could always call the police. L

led out her phone, her thumb hovering ove

"Sister, don't do something stupid

e echoed from the foyer. "Ma

of lightning. The three women froze. Hollis's

What was he doing

triumphant expressions on Beverley's and Kyla's faces.

ani suit. His handsome face was a blank mask, his deep blue

e, her messy hair, and her pale, bruised face, his exp

visible hand. The comfort and protection she had desper

n the two women who stood waiting-Beverley with her practiced smile, Kyla alr

erate. "Aris, dear, I'm so sorry you had to see this..

Beverley positioned herself as the matriarch of a scene she had written herse

, dismissive, as if she were a piece of

down at her from

and a Montblanc pen. With a few swift strokes, he wrote

to a stop n

" Aris said, his voice devoid

er bloodshot eyes stared at the

t the check. She

c joke. "Why? Hollis, you have the nerve to ask me why? The future wife o

o her feet, her voice rising w

hind Aris, feigning fear.

re revulsion. "Shut up. Stop acting. It only makes me sic

deepest wound, the raw, secret s

l blow-"I've decided to cancel our en

hen at the triumphant, hypocritical face of