la was

wn that cinched at her waist and left one shoulder exposed,

gnize the woman

eauty. A diamond without a s

der, adjusting Elise's earring with precision. "Minimal speech unless spoken to

flinch. "And

ily in the mirror.

-

ise couldn't help but think, She'

eeting as she got into the back seat, only a nod and a glance. He

he began, th

o him. "Like a

flashed

one they'l

Your investors? You

dn't

s reply

-

-

andeliers glittered above tables of new money and ol

hey knew whom

red as photographers snapped

caught in

on who

her back, firm and controlling. "To

m, eyes level. "

're my wife. Tonight,

-

t moved

Laughing at joke

Every conversation a tactic. Every compliment a ma

if she were part of his empire and not j

ane," Gabrielle's voice called out as sh

of Damian's oldest board m

ht and thin. "So you're

lise sai

s scanning over her like appraisa

ely. "Only until w

wed head of curiosity. "You may

last

th, but Olivia was a

-

ned to her side, Elise a

as anoth

htened. "An

Or... a

mmediately. "That's

ike it sh

and for an instant, something flicke

erative, "I don't ask for your p

r asked because you assumed t

dn't

tween them

-

the gala a

r this time was not p

ipping past, lights blurring. She did not w

moment she did not thi

u told me once not to wait around

ot look at h

. I may not have power, but I have e

aw cl

"I didn't expect love. But I didn'

id no

were shut away

nally, h

nt you to b

u don't behave a

don't know what to do with someone I didn't c

you," she

retched

he truth is, Elise, you frighten m

st

. wh

t me. And I don't w

-

g, she coul

ai

thing ha

her she inti

se she wa

she could

t was a kind

-

k pajamas, making her own coffee, thumbing he

land and unfolded the bu

aring a perfectly press

rning,"

up. "You're t

e married, Elise. Role-playing

ed. "Whose fa

er for a long

you always this emotionall

rk that flashed

ual

her lip, sm

t was

-

ntered with a list of meetings an

the afternoo

rowned. "Mr

asked," Elise said, echoi

f shoes, and walked out of the pentho

e was st

lear

n't invisib

would no