ra

later. The sound of his ringtone, a so

he guilt was a rough edge under the surface. "I... I wanted to apolog

my voice as empty as

tonight at the Plaza. A big deal. Get dressed. My driver will be the

the background, weak and petulant. "Brooks,

stantly to one of doting tenderness. "I'll be right

obligation to be fulfilled before

e I stood silently by Brooks's side, met me at the door. He d

, was Brooks. Candice was seated beside him, looking pale but radiant in a silver dress that shimmered under the chandeliers. He

ispers from th

hem. He's

e hasn't le

ue love, r

of ice, piercing the fragile num

x surprise. "Elara! You came!" she called out, her voice just loud enough for

em, my steps feeli

red to the empty seat on her other side, a clear signal of my place in this tableau. "Come,

she was magnanimously all

atalog, his arm resting possessively on the back of her chair. He was laughi

is paddle without hesitation, his vo

and for her, a casual display of wealth

anced with triumph. Then, as an afterthought, she turned to him.

welry from a silent auction. Without looking closely, he picked up a simple diamond necklace. "T

now, something I was learning to

ed every dish for Candice, consulting with the chef about h

. The same dish he ordered for me

lived with him, shared his bed, he had

at began to tighten, my skin breaking out in angr

is brow furrowed in anno

I choked out.

aw panic, the same panic he'd shown when he thought Cand

on't make a scene," she hissed, her voice low. "It's just a mild reaction

her grip surprisingly strong. "Come on, dear," she said, her voi

wung shut behind us, her demeanor changed. The mask of co

the edge of the sink with a sickening crack. Stars exploded b

r face twisted with contempt. "He loves me. He has alway

pity. Because you're a pathetic little orphan with nowhere else to go. But your ti

ng up. "I will," I managed to rasp, t

g to see just how little you mean to him. You're going to watch him choo

shed over me. She wasn't just makin