constructing. Her silence, her carefully measured distance, the professional armor s

question, the silenc

x-up with childcare, and fled the office with her heart pounding like a war drum. Behind he

eed International w

allway. Eyes flickered curiously, nervously, then away. Word had clearly not spread b

er in the mome

Cold. The door to his office closed behin

her first name. No "Ms

gh and restrained, m

d tall.

k slowly, hands in his pockets, his jaw

ag, knuckles whitening. "Jason, Lila is

d forward. "You expect me to believe a child with my eyes, my hair, wh

d, but her pulse th

to hers, daring her to

, her defenses trem

cross his face.

if tasting the word. "Yo

licked. The devastation

he whispered. "And

oice cracking like glass. "I walked in and saw

expression unreadable. "Yo

she hissed, years of pain flooding back. "You br

none of it matters?" His voice was dangero

"Don't you dare. I gave up everything to rais

s against the edge of his desk. His breath

oice breaking. "I was hired through a design firm. No

s didn't hold anger anymore. Just

"Now get me the finalized layout

d. Just

r sketches were a blur. Her hands trembled slightly as she reach

ame th

eronica

onsultation Reque

polite. But Bella recognize

acquisition from years ago. It was irrelevant to current operati

efore quietly deleting the email. If Veronic

Cole stood i

always, but there was something softer

ollow laugh. "

ed to say... don't let Jason's anger fool you. He's co

"Funny. I always thought he mo

pened. "Are you

breath

ha

ou saw?" His gaze was steady. "Things.

s phone buzzed. He gave her a

nd Bella sat there stunned. Doubt s

e have b

t. Lila was fast asleep, her tiny snores

aded now, but the memory was sharp. Her and Jason-laughing, ca

n his office, Veronica leaning close, a whisper,

yan's words

hat she had seen wasn'

n running f

, the photograph tr

't just behin

live, relentless,

ay forward...