f Chloe' s cloying perfume. It was a scent

kiss me. I t

tened. "What

Ethan. I'

e' d perfected. "Look, I kno

nned three years, flaunted, b

g a small velvet box from his pocket, "

necklace. Ostentatious. Guilt

then at him.

be like this. I'

n? To buy my silenc

again. Always assuming the worst. Can' t I j

words felt

ay, towards

u going?" he

few things

ickered there. "Pack? Wh

an. I' m going to the vi

, but not for space from him in the way he though

The vineyard? Why?

o talk, Ethan. I

grip was tight. "You

ion. It was a stat

m away. "Don'

re it once held. That fire had burn

perhaps the emptiness. He backed of

e' re talking whe

re would be no "when

ing the asset liquidation. It was a compl

zed. Ethan.

is throwing a gala tonight. I have to mak

new, particularly

g for cameras. The rising star of Silico

w, it was just data. Informa

rld was required. I wondered how it woul

hing mor

' t scare me. Fr