seemed heavier than it should, her shaking arms straining beneath the weight of what little she had brought-and what had been s

her out. Emma took one more peek over her shoulder before stepping into the cold winter

rything go ap

d a job that made her feel worthwhile. She had pleased customers, solved difficulties, and worked late at night not for accolad

ated her in front of half the c

Carter. Pack all your bel

here is no opportunity to s

white on the cardboard box. She suppressed the scorching tea

so lost something more. Something that had b

admired Ale

e looks, she saw a man battling ghosts. There were short, rare times when he look

s inco

What was the purpose of

ers. The majority did not respond-the ones who did provide cryptic rejections or silenc

lery her mother ga

o make the most of

alk rather tha

corner, the city seemed

se she felt powerful but becau

she had nearly forgotten about during her time at Wolfe Enterprises. The income

do not know what happened, but...do not le

grin. "That is what

do. That is wh

ing away another

idday light shone through the dusty store windows. The fragrance o

he stro

avy scarf, and his demeanour was both captivating and relaxed. His hair was slightly u

t and little amused. "Do you have the orig

his, and for a few seconds, she forgot everything-

his head. "Did I s

onded, recovering. "That is

e said with a grin. "And th

e laugh in days. "Well, you may be in

ounter and watched her with a curious gentleness. "You seem

Life is filled with tales. Some

ftly, "they have not re

t made her chest tighten-not in a

ook. He purchased it

d, and she read his

terprises' most prestigious customers. Sh

you, M

a Ca

, Miss Carter. I ho

ll above the door jing

for the first time in days-not from fear, but

ce her termination, sh

omple

tea and gazing out at the cityscape. The lig

d an excellent job today. And what about that

e. She was not thinking about romance ye

ess. Framed. Betrayed. She felt humili

ssible that... Th

e start of som

at part Liam would

er windowpane and the darkness curle

g very

as no

ld get

e, she would not