phin

had ever given me-the diamond necklace, the designer dresses, the first-edition books-and packed them into boxes to be sent

the miscarriage Ethan's doctor had called a "tragic accident." I stared at them, the soft wool a stark reminder of a future that had been stolen from me

tically begging me to reconsider my resignation. "The board is in a panic, Se

and hung up. I was Seraphina Valentino no

ce was still there, woven into the fabric of his voice. "I heard y

it. He thought thi

of the compound tomorrow

if it were a fact. "This is ri

to give him one last chance to see, to understand. "I'm tired

sharing him; I was done with him entirel

cate situation. She needs me right now. You're strong,

olen to be patient while he tended to the re

post. It was a photo of Isabella's hand, a massive canary diamond on her ring finger, int

While he was on the phone

nt. I think he rea

m gasping, then Dr. Gallo's panicked voice in the background. "It

ness, his carelessness, always

s asking for you! He needs you!" She was playing the part of the concerned mistress, but I could

idn't say yes.

o of Dante's men were stationed. They s

age from my informant inside the Costello compound. It

de just moments ago. Isabella's voice was cloying

e, then Ethan's

being dramatic. She'll be back. She'd die for me.

ing. His absolute, unshakeable certainty that I was his

as a fool. A fool who had just

range sense of peace. The exhaustion was gone, rep

m to the ground and dance on the ashes. He thought I would never leave? I