crackled with a tension so thick I could barely breathe

low and cold as he nodded curtly in Emily' s direc

tepping forward. "This h

at her. His eyes remained fixed on me. "Liam will be home in fi

desperate urge to look at Emily, to draw strength from her, but I was trapped by his stare. My silent

is voice was still firm. "Whatever is going on with the

eclaration of fact. Like announc

lose billion-dollar deals, a tone that left no room for argument. And despite my anger, a traitorous part of me felt a s

a halt in the driveway. The front door burst open a

" he shouted, his eyes sc

"Liam," he said, his voice laced wi

anding by the window with her arms cro

ing bastard!" she yelled

ooks like! We just had lunch! You know how you get, Em. You once threw m

!" Emily shrieked.

lmly took my hand. His touch was warm and st

mily and Liam' s argument fading behind us. He didn' t release my han

lent. I finally

per. "Why would you make Olivia the face of th

h. It has nothing to do with Emily or Liam. Olivia has a good

study and opened a locked drawer I' d never seen him use. Inside, there was a single, small, framed photo. It was a picture of a teenage Olivia, smiling

hat week, I checked again. The photo was gone. I' d convinced myself it was nothing,

k on my face.

g it up. What was the point? He would

the perfectly manicured lawn. I didn't say another word