f shame, his face hardened with annoyance. Being caught, be
over her. "Are you following me now?" he sneered, his voice low an
the villain. "Don't play games. You
entence. It ignited the last of h
d in the suddenly silent ro
ark already blooming on his skin. He stared at her, his eyes wide wi
e ice. "Branson Burton," she said, her
him the satisfaction of a backward glance. She hear
rced a laugh. "Watch," he announced to Ryder and the others, his voice overly lo
claim his dominance. "I'll bet my new
hailed a cab in the cold rain and gave th
that had never been real. She moved through the rooms with cold efficiency, pulling her few clothes fr
day, a gift she'd saved for months to afford. A bitter, hum
pare key from her pocket and placed it squarely in the center. A final, silent statement. Then
tale cigarettes and disinfectant. The contrast between the peeling wallpaper
mpy bed when her phone buzzed.
posed her features into a bright smile before answering. Eleanor's face
things with you and Branson? Ar
ttle, like it might crack. She couldn't tell her the truth.
he l
e miraculously steady. "He already pro
me of the lines of pain and worry. She looked happier than she had
Julia felt a strange mix of guilt and steely resolve. She had ma
on in the dark screen of her phone. She had to get married. Not for love, n
oot and grew with terrifying speed. I
stopping on a name: Paige Reynolds. Her agen
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