as long gone. On the nightstand, a crisp piece of his personal stationery lay where his phon
l in its efficiency, yet reinforcing
he previous night burned away by hours of s
five times before he answered, his voice sharp and preoccupied. In the backgr
sked, his ton
every ounce of strength she possessed. "Julian," sh
vanished. She could picture him perfectly: frowning
me back, colder than she had ever heard it. "R
arsed in the dark. "I'm tired of it
ating than the last. She held her breath, wait
o words. "U
questions. No arguments. He had processed her departu
back onto the bed, a choked sob finally escapin
mpletely, her work phone buzzed on the nightsta
"Chloe! It's gone! The Sterling merger contract, the one for
nal hell. She remembered the contract. A thick, blue folder. S
g room, twice!" Megan wailed. "If we
pain. "Don't panic, Megan," she said, her voice regainin
he reflection in the mirror showing a pale, hollowed-out version of herself. The breakup had shattered her,
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