folder, her knuckles white from the force of her grip. She didn't look at them. She refused t
aw tighten. He watched her, a flicker of somet
her escape so close
cloying, stopped her again. "Cou
ack to them. She didn't turn ar
ittle laugh, "it's so tricky. I
nd bracelet, its clasp undone. She held it o
the bracelet. The air r
, the bidding reaching a figure with seven digits. She remembered the thrill she'd felt, the secret, foolish h
s on another
t beautiful? It was an engagement gift from Julian. H
ict, a death sentence for a fantasy she hadn
d herself to breathe, to stand steady. She reached out, her fingers col
l with it," she murmured, her voice dripping with condescension.
nded like a p
lly found their purchase. The clasp clicked shut wi
directly. She smiled-a perfect,
ing," she said, her voic
like a shield, and walked out of the office, her back ramrod straight. S
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