eks were a spec

f torment. Casey's Instagram feed was

around her waist. Casey and Coleman on a weekend trip to Napa, c

g of their bond. Blair felt a dull, throbbing ache behind her eyes every

It was the most important social event of their year, a lega

e arrived, she saw

Clark & Ms.

tween a junior executive and his star-struck wife. She wa

d as a Clark family heirloom sparkling at her throat. It was the one Coleman's mo

e lightly, a small, triumphant smile playing

words about a new initiative she had been working on

uld just

"Casey was just about to share some of her thoughts on engaging a younger gen

his voice full of pride

He had publicly nullified her, replacing her expertise with Cas

lt a hundred pairs of eyes on her,

the cold night air. The city lights gl

later, Casey f

ked, her voice laced with manufa

turn around

n so tense lately. I told Coleman, I think maybe you're jealous. Of my relationship with him. Y

g was venomous. A malicious twisting

appeared. He walked straight to Blai

king." He draped an arm around her shoulder, a gest

rse. He used the soft, patronizing tone of a

ow you've been under a lot of stress. Maybe it's hormonal. Or maybe y

as mental instability. Paint

ic execution

he final, k

e reached out and tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear, the exac

her feel safe. Now, it was

said softly. "You just focus on be

enuine smile that crinkle

back to a frozen Blair. "Casey and I have decided to formalize our partner

t seen on his face in years. A joy that

thread of their sh

xpression. She had to swallow the bile ris

said, her voice even. "

g them together on the terrace, ba

, head held high, a polite, vacant smil

home. She we

efore she shattered i