SECOND LIFE: CEO's shadow

a memory that turned out to be a lie. I passed the bakery where Marcus used to buy me cupcakes, and the

his hat to me. My dad had worked his whole life to make sure I lived in a place like this. He wanted me to be safe.

th and pushed the

es filled the air, and for a second, I almost let myself rela

nd a cropped top. She was holding a glass of chilled white wine i

"I heard the door. Well? Tell me everything! Is Marcus the happiest m

and that had pushed me off the roof-and I felt a surge of heat in my

her and dropping my bag on

. "Wait, what? Why not? Did Marcus get cold

for that tiny crack in her mask. "The bank flagged my inheritance. There's a r

le would have missed it. But I wasn't most people anymore. I saw her e

oud clink. "But Clara, you know Marcus. He was counting on that money for the deposit.

unter and crossed my arms. "The law is the law, Sienna. Besides, if his

g back. In the old life, I was the girl who apologized for everything. I

urning sweet and manipulative. "He loves you so much, Clara. He's doing al

elf a little more

e like she was seeing a stranger. She wasn't wrong. Th

ine and taking a long sip. "Is it because of that dream you had?

space. Being near her felt like being near a ticking bomb. "In fact, I think I need some space. I told M

that gallery opening tomorrow night! And I was going to s

d I think it's better if you stay at you

she was angry. She had been living off my generosity for

ant to be alone and miserable, go ahead. But don't come crying to

rd the door. She didn't even say goodbye. She slamme

had said no to Marcus and I had kicked Sienna out. The two peo

d dollars that easily. He would try to guilt me. He would try to make me feel small. An

he counter. Two glasses for a cel

iquid swirl down the drain, and I felt a strange sense of peace. I wasn't a v

tarted writing. I wrote down everything I remembered. The dates of the mergers, the nam

thirty

t just be protecting my money. I would be buildi

ho the first person

s going to be at a high-end jewelry auction on Friday. It was an event for the richest people in the

And my name stil

s going to meet the only man who coul