Kevin said, his long strides cat

ed, eyes fixed ahead, c

e door before she could leave. "You don't talk at

e. "Nothing. I just do

a moment. His jaw tig

d to move past him,

"If something's wrong, t

the threat about her father's bankruptcy files. Sh

e been distracted all week. And every time your

ed. "Don't

he said. "I know when you

er lips together

his tone sharper now. "Personal d

ou think you can control every part of my life n

"I'm not trying to control y

u showed up at my office yesterday, then at the c

n't care about embarrassing.

he asked. "What are

ple who don't like me making... sudden moves. Bri

froze.

ome people would rather see you

his shadowing, the constant watching, it'

Ye

ther to warn me?" C

arning

t it. I don't want you hovering li

closer. "And I

eavy. Clara's hands trembled as

more than protecting

"Good. If fear keeps yo

him, stunned. "Yo

stubborn,"

linking fast. "Mayb

ly. "Space is the one t

m. "You can't dec

omething happens to you, it won't just destroy

she expected. "So that's all I am? A piece of

zing what he'd said

way, her footsteps quick and u

hat night, when Clara stepped out of her apartment to get som

s inside,

**

ar the office copier. Clara froze when

, lowering her voice. "She's just his mistress.

k as she stuffed pa

r into his office an hour later

a smile. "

rtable. "Your work is good, no complaints the

ch dropped

are saying things. I don't want

d. "It's not a scand

n't believe her. "Just... be careful. If th

ce. By the time she reached the street,

our apartment by the end of

at?

to sell. You'll

hrow me out like t

the law requires." He hung up

ripping her phone. Everything was clos

nthouse. Kevin was on the phone, but he

?" he asked, st

ryone calling me your mistress? Why is my boss warning me a

ion darkened. "W

ice cracked. "This isn't just pressure, Kevin.

r arm, but she ste

't touch me. Don't tell me

tightened. "I

it? The way you handle everyt

yes were unreadable, but Clara co

velyn wasn't just trying to ruin her

**

heading for a glass of water. As she passed Kevin's s

e phone. "The will changes everything. If it comes ou

froze.

d closer t

place. No one can know until I decide. If the inher

ounded. Was he t

under her weight.

and there he was, phone i

" he asked. His voice was

t dry. "I... I was

owed. "How muc

said quickly,

e sliding the phone into his pocket. "Good

I'm your wife, Kevin. Don't I

ty. That's all." H

ving her standing in the

f she had married into something far