e'd read it, every line, every stipulation, etched in her mind. Yet each reading ushered in a new tide of bitterness. Heavier today, though. The words felt co

ing. However, it was short-lived. The silence was broken by the rhythmic, sharp clack of heels on marble. Sas

wasn'

ack sheath-dress that could have walked a runway, stood without speaking at the front do

a asked, her tone f

lipped phrases and precise words. She sized Sasha up slowly, expression neutral except for the bi

tiffened. "Is t

e stillness. "Depends. Are you under the impression you get time o

slowly pulled herself back on one elbow, "An

re for one reason and we both know it. It's not like Damon's going

almost like a living thing, it

calmly. "So don't act like you know me o

faced, doe-eyed, stumbling into some fairy land. But you are really just a file. Temporary." Sasha moved further int

ipping the table, and launching a clipboard across th

could breath, V

icks on the hard polished floor. The shot of cold marb

d Sasha from above. "Pat

swirling in her chest. "You think you can touch me

again, some voice cut thro

ell is goin

face. The two women both looked to Damon, but his eyes were hard and narrowed as they moved carefully be

ed trained self. "I found Sasha uncooperative," she began. "I had

. She couldn't believe

ep her tone calm. "She put her hands on m

e turned his attention back and forth between the two of them and then the

he asked Sasha, h

"That is exactl

ndifference. Damon was already miles away inwardly, behind whatever cold lo

o Vanessa.

d with whatever unspoken threats her eyes could conjure. "Just wanted to make sure she understood

e silence returned, albe

her knuckles were white. He didn't say anything for a while, he ju

is hard. You're making this more diffic

complicated. I was perfectly fine before she marched in her

kly. "This is strictly business. Nothing re

siness or not, she had no r

my child. That's it. Do not confuse the par

ope that remained in her body - the slightest glimmer

you even see m

swer. He did

s answe

l, her mind was a whirlwind of thoughts. Vanessa's cruelty, Damon's cold dismissal, the

her. And instead of outrage, he had offered indi

sy. Still, she hadn't been prepared for this. This feeling of being caged,

e blinked them back . She wasn't goi

hing shifted. It wasn't loud or

ing to let th

Vane

Da

ing contract tha

would learn to play the ga