. "I figured it was time for a change. There's no harm in looking

mile as he let out a quiet sigh. "You're

essing herself into his chest as if

two of them, her own pain hidden behind the glass. It

'd once called home. She hadn't set foot there in mon

d snapped on a pair of gloves,

's home-but it was hers. This was the first space she'd ever rented aft

ed the dust cover off the sofa and tossed it into the wash, then rinsed out a vase, f

e only thing to hold the memo

of something new. The web of lies was behind her n

abinet until it nicked her finger. The sting jolted her, and

once cut herself while cooking for Christopher. That old wound had been

und its way i

doing now. She imagined their laughter echoing th

..

uring. She wore a delicate nightgown with thin straps, the fabric hugging her curves and stopping dari

nt he noticed Yolanda standing at the door, he immedia

flickering in his eyes. The boldness of her outfit left him

ound his neck, closing the distance between them

s met, everything gr

bashful, even after a year as husband and wife. Her kisses had always been gentle, hesitant, as if she treasure

ooped her up and set her on the edge of the d

heir breath, his eyes fell to her th

he asked, point

nmistakable initials-letter

tattoo-Samuel Flynn's name-belonged to her past.

rip tightening on her wrist. "Why am I

for a long time. Back when I studied overseas, I used that name as my pen name. It was m

idn't waver, his eye

hifting to mock offense. "Honestly, have you really

de the tattoo, then tried to wrap her arms

he tension. "I've got a video call with the international

ed on her heel and left the study,

very detail of the evening. He couldn't escape the uneasy sense that the woman i

e his secretary had to repeat herself just to

g it with unsteady hands as he tried to stea

ybe his mind was playing tricks on him, and

..

, her thoughts a tangle of dread and fra

cs patent had been approved, and her team wanted her to join the upcoming Cosmetics Inno

Aura Cosmetics. If her product hit the market, she would be known

the best way, and she shot up

ress and sweeping on just enough makeup to look fresh. She carefully patted her

mirror, flashed herself a reassuring

head held high, she stepped

the light to change, she scanned throug

oment, Christopher's striking profile appeare