xcept the candles on the dining table, waiting for the m

or chimed. The front door opened, an

, the bandage on her right hand hidden behind her hip. In the cand

ed to her bare feet on the marble. He loosened his tie, his brow furrowing. "If you th

and looped her arms around his waist, restin

n on the small of her back, pressing her against the

rs, Stella turned her head. His

ever dodged him. "You slap someone, refuse to apologize, an

his chest. "I made dinner. Eat with me f

"She's harmless, Stell. Bringing her back to New York was my

Stella said quietl

ur place and hers don't conflict. I know you're not feeling well today, so I'll let th

ompletely sti

ity footage-showing Celeste shoving her toward the table corner with

breath, and curved her lips int

f her mouth. "Once this quarter wraps, I'll take you to Rome

re he had just held Ce

ella said, slipping out of his hold

ian picked up his knife and fork, sliced his prime ribeye into even, bite-sized p

ith sparkling cider she had poured in pl

d his rim to

la swirled her glass. "Let's g

ass to the marble tabletop with a sharp clin

County Clerk's office tom

cooked for? Stop acting out, Stella. Our wedding is set

ss down hard enough to crack the stem. Her voice staye

an f

his face. Only a fla

s ago," Stella said, meeting hi

room went d

is voice dropping to su

but she refused to let a single tear fall. "Three yea

wn at her from his full hei

he table as she rose to face him. "Last month at the St

sectomy two

rough the room l

e. Two years ago. Celeste's voice from the café echoe

omise to Celeste, while letting Ste

rs, and you couldn't wait three more months for the ring? I thought you were smart enough to

e table, her chest heaving. "

jacket. "Putting on an act for three years just to lock down the Mrs. R

strode to the foyer, and

ffed out the candles on the table, plun

he sank onto the cold mar

, stealing her breath. Seconds later, a warm g

ne in the dark, pressing her cut hand to he

y room. "You got what you wanted. As