ks. She glanced down at the diamond on her finger-a ring she had fished out of the drawer this morning, not as a symbol of love, but as

and some woman named Alyssia. They all tho

management software on her desktop and located

quarter, a plan she had spent countless sleepless nig

licker of hesitation, she clicke

field, she typed: "Core desi

ed, warning that the a

cked "C

t vanished from e

began to scream, the scree

he call, switched her phone to si

unned by what she had just done. Whispers erup

, and prepared to leave. Her sole purp

ned on her floor. Denice looked up and saw a figure step out

a sickly sweet, triumphant smile.She wore an ill-fitting, off-season Chanel tweed suit that screamed "nouveau riche trying too hard." She gripped a gaudy designer handbag. When sh

her voice cloyingly saccharine, laced with feigned innocence and gloating. "Miss Montg

sect. "I'm just here to take out the trash." Her gaze flicked meanin

estepped. Alyssia's footing wavered, and she stumbled backward in her cheap high heels. She lost her balance a

get up but fell back again. She pointed at Denice, her voice sharp enough to pierce the air: "You're nothing but a stan

a spring 2019 outdated style," Denice said, her voice flat and bored. "If yo

. Her mouth opened and c

"As long as this engagement ring is on my finger, I am Jairo's legally recognized fiancée. And yo

leaving Alyssia staring after her elegant, resolute back. As the ele

then did the cold mask on Denice's fac

ooding her phone. Without a sin

also knew that he wouldn't dare break up with her now. Not now. Because without her, he couldn't

nlight felt harsh. Denice put on her sunglasses, hid

k's most exclusive private clubs. She was going to see Culver Colli

f traffic. Denice leaned back i

understand that he had lost