as her breath stopped. She told herself; you knew

nother step, the

here. ho

Mrs. Ashford, as though

cally drapes herself

mpagne glass. Her mother had instructed her when she was small, never let them know yo

thin. A waiter approached, and she grabbed a fresh glass of champagne, sippin

t Damo

epths for a brief moment. Respect? cautioned? Excitement? Whatever it was, it disappeared before her eyes c

fresh wave of wh

e wasn't some weak, miserable wife waiting for bits of affection. Still another

fight. Her

o treachery. Underneath the porcelain front, nevertheless, her hold on th

ngers around the wrought iron railin

lli

Vanessa Caldwell walked behind her, a flute of champa

er marriage to Damon. She wore a silver gown that glistened beneath the warm glow of the balcony l

tay and suffer. Her voice was

smile. "I'm not cl

yourself as not hearing them whisper or as not seeing what he is doing. She m

look. Should my response be different,

d, voice steady

And he broke every single one of them

, fingers gripping the fence. She need not have the remin

strong. "Listen to me here." You identify as Lillian

? Could she leave the life she had creat

ill to come. She was not ready

covered Vanessa's hand with hers. "I know what I am

uth tightene

to speed before she could respond. She se

mo

he ballroom's glow. His presence drew eyeballs without effort, acting

k and fierce, in

are and refused to be

ey, S

delight tingling every letter. "Damon could have choos

high-pitched, po

She doesn't even fight back." She simply stands on a

"I almost feel bad for her.". Sto

laughter i

e and stranding around her ribs. Take a breath

and composure, the old Lillian Davenport would have marched in, chin high, and

vered that pride might

ly then turned on

e she wa

tting them see the tears b

er changed as she entered

calm, smoul

o be nothing. a shad

le belie

pt over her, evaluating, scrutinising. No

ave turned awa

deeper than the next, the w

em of her champagne glass. It was chilly. She had practiced f

gnity"? Her voice was underceptively calm, silky. "You're teachi

rtainment? crossed his face then disapp

ontinued, his voice sharp. It's ab

rticular is that, Damon? The one in which I should grin as the entire city la

his jaw. You'

e flutter of irritation in his black eyes

haled sharply, as though bored with the current discussion, just as fast as he had appea

nother spectacle like tonigh

worry, sweetheart," she murmured, her voice full of false delicac

thing to say to

sharp face. He seemed very calm, like a man who had spent the evening at a laid-b

ation, her wedding band sparkled like a beautiful piece of jewellery with no meaning

really impor

agonising length. She inhaled gently, guiding herself t

"If you expect an apology, don't hold your breath," he whis

catch his eye. "I long ago stopp

there was no warmth behind them. "Goo

everything, how little she meant to him in his life. She might have brok

, the automobile slowed; the ta

old. The sharp sound broke the quiet like a gunshot.