f the Crawford family's penthouse apartment, rainwater

needed before disappearing. But she hadn't expected Haywa

econd. Sitting upright on the wide leather sofa in the center of the r

ned feet, the gold wedding band on his left hand glinting u

e attorneys will be here with the prenuptia

her wet hand

e hoarse. "I'm taking the morning train

professor title at an Ivy League school can wash the mud off your name?" The heavy scent of Vivian's perfume filled the spac

polite society," El

name cannot survive another one of your scandals." Walking closer, he kept his eyes fixed slightly past her ear, refusing

of ice water. She looked at her biological fath

financial holes-is that how the form

and to slap her, his palm freezing midair just inches

hal calm, "I will call the university board at dawn and have you

facilities, institutional resources, and professional network she had spent eight years rebuilding. Losing it would jeo

gging into her palms as she forced her mind to calculate the odds. Fighting

ad secured everything she needed. And she certainly

de the sharpness in her eyes

ssa whispered. "I'l

oth Elissa's wet collar. "That's a good girl, Ellie.

ing in her throat, Elissa

to my old apartment in Brooklyn tomorrow

verything you need

a few books my mother left me in that apartment. If you won't even

witched. He waved his hand stiffly. "The driver w

a turned and walked down th

to the bed, she pulled an untraceable burner SIM card from the lining of her bra and slipped it into a spare phone. Her f

m going to the old Brooklyn apartment tomorrow morning

ked urgently. "My Ellie, are you

skyline, Elissa gave a cold laugh. "They think

daughter until I'm out of their reach. Once I

r a hot shower, she pulled a dusty duffel bag from under the bed and packed her c

les, and the documents connected to her private accounts

he sat on the edge of the