la and toasted sug

n the three-tiered anniversary cake, my ha

lt like a lifetime

ing. Kaelen was supposed

on the screen. I answered, my voice full of the hope

tant. "Something came up. A last-minute donor mee

my voice light, but the disappointment was a heavy weight in my ches

mise," he said, and then, "I h

sank onto the sofa and idly flipped on the TV. The local news was on, covering a high-soc

nd a blonde socialite. The chyron at the bottom of the screen read: "

ake, a deep, uncontrollable tremor that started in my fingers and spread through my whole

e in my hand. I' d changed into a simple black dress, my face a calm mask I had carefully constructed. The security guard

with a group of older, wealthy-looking people. I wa

, his smile freezing on his face when he saw me. The w

n't want you to miss out completely." I smiled, a bright, meaningl

weet tooth. This is his favorite, vanilla bean wit

s grip was like steel. His eyes were burning w

but I didn't flinch. I just looked at him

oosen his grip. "Enjoy your evening, Congressman," I said, my vo

t air hitting my face. They streamed down my cheeks, hot

unding on the pavement b

s, my hands still shaking. He caught up to me just as I unloc

a mask of desperation and an

him, my face numb

ed of champagne and desperation. It wasn't tender. It was an as

imp in his arms. I knew, with a certainty that chil

. "You're not going anywhere, do

r am I just the woman you keep in your pentho

give you anything you want. This apartment, money, a lif