Crimson Revenge: From Dust to Diamond

paper. The divorce papers sat on her kitchen cou

apped, checking his gold watch. "

f marriage ended with a scribble. Three years of baking for his law firm

gesturing to her flour-covered apron. Tiny

s. "Why bother? That look suit

for the party he suddenly canceled. The party where he was going to

All

lided in. Celeste. Her diamond bracelet probably

ed lips curled into a smirk. "The move

ed. She didn't know she neede

Elena whispered. "And my

"Keep the bowl. Maybe you can use it to collect

had mixed countless batches of cookie dough, the same han

ed his foot. "Some of us have

ed her name on the line. It didn'

She pushed the p

out you all along. Small town, small dreams." He slid the papers into his leather briefcase. "You

nough, not rich enough, not connected enough. She was just the cute baker he

iture," Nathan continued. "I'm keeping the apa

friends were really his friends, and her bank account was near

out," she said,

d of platinum hair. "Maybe the ho

already broken. No, this was her pride. Her dignity.

The "World's Best Wife" apron Nathan's mo

rniture, the fancy address, the country club membership. But these-" she grabbed

Nathan waved dismissively. "No

ts she'd been baking when he'd arrived with the divorce papers. They sm

thing,"

. "What? Going to throw

right? The one who loves citrus?" She closed the box and tied it with a ribbon. "Give them t

ce reddened

'd say, like I was just an extension of you. Nev

nds and walked to the door,

called after her. "The world eats li

r the moment she stepped outside. No umbrella. No plan.

ng around. "Or maybe you'll

the pain. Behind her, she heard Celeste's tinkling laugh and Natha

r slamm

at the edges. People hurried past with umbrellas, not givin

orgot to mention. Canceled your credit c

buckled. No home. N

The ones she'd created herself, late at night when Nathan was working. T

d, rain mixing with tear

e street. The headline caught her eye:

she'd sold her cooki

ked through her clothes, but a strange warmth was bui

rmin

people who have nothing left to

how much cash was in her wallet. Seventy-three dollars.

od critic who had tried her Midnight Chocolate Chunk cookies last month and couldn't stop ravin

y, too busy playing per

on the card. Daniel Mercer, Food

the number, watching Nathan's bui

niel Merce

Elena Carter. You tried my Midnight Chocolate C

es? Of course I remember! Those were extraordinar

lding. Through the rain, she could see him and Celeste getting in, probably h

aiting for your call. W

old life with it. Her wet clothes clung to her skin

I'm worth," she replied, her voice steady despite the

sky, illuminating a storefront across the street. A "For Rent"

es fixed on that sign. It felt like fate. Or

th some investors who've been looking to back a promising f

Nathan was having

spreading across her face. "And Mr. M

n in a puddle. Soaked hair. Tear-staine

. Her eyes w

ory today. He didn't realize he was

But from those crumbs, Elena