and stagnant, as if every mi

my own front door made me want to turn right back around. I much preferred staying locked

put the end of our marriage in black and white. And yet, she still hadn'

out into a messy legal battle. My life w

and the slightest complication wo

y soon-to-be ex-wife's sheer refusal to

over earlier that day. It was a necklace of remarkable finesse, every intricate detail meticulously planned. Fo

or exhibition to host. A m

ld's attention with unique creatio

ready shaping up to be brutal. Adding a complicat

n, snapping me ou

with fury. Behind her, Iris hovered in the doorway, lookin

urted out. "I asked her to w

he slipped out immediately, pulling the door shu

top and looked

ict rule about keeping private affairs out of the office. Her bein

tting her pace the floor for

voice perfectly level. "You know I don't app

, tossing her bag onto my desk befor

ard is a lie," she

the chair ac

n, maybe I could actually answer you. Otherw

he seat, though her glare

she said. "And what she tol

ght shrug, feig

what exactly di

iking. "Are you really going to sit

n't a

an exasper

about the div

xpression impas

on was ins

what'? Do you even real

ht somewhere between ang

y... For once in your life, you actually seemed

, meeting her

na," I replied simpl

d, flatly refusin

ut that isn't always enoug

as if desperately searching my

on," she finally said. "There has to be something

ct opposite effect of

ser, my gaze ha

e me as? Some broken ob

fr

rselves to discuss my life behind my back, you can

ela

I have an exhibition to prepare for. If she hasn't signed b

at followed wa

like she was looking

you?" she murmured

n't a

nally asked the questi

e someon

g-not to think, but to weigh the imp

slightly

explanation," she presse

gaze unfl

es

between us, devoi

s anothe

peechless, visibly reel

want this settled

e room again, thicker a

clenched i

," she finally said. "You ha

t her, feeling not ev

d. "I won't regret endin