The heiress he left behind

remember leav

a folder pressed against her chest, staring at the recep

he awning, rain whispering onto the

ice has been try

wed her into th

across to open the passenger door. "What ha

de, closing the doo

as k

still resting on the stee

folder in her lap. "His assistant has been call

. "How would they eve

I imagine they can find anyone

onist tell them

d quickly. "She said she didn

oo

t her thoughts wo

as looking

call, a message, or even an explanation for the necklace. He had vanished so

him she collaps

ered she went

ence, that the woman he had spent one night

ity hurt more tha

the curb. "You don't

kno

t owe him

kno

can appear out of now

ow, N

n her voice cut

her eyes at on

you're pregnant, your business is under pressure, and the father happens to b

er head against

beneath umbrellas. Everything looked ordinary. A woman carried groceries. A man stood outside a florist shop,

him disappear b

hs, she would

still felt

ll him," she

er. "You don't ha

't hide it

between telling him and letting

ked down a

ents, nutrition advice, and phone numbers.

man like Lucas Hart that one reckles

ow what he wants

le and squeezed her hand brie

to a thin mist. Nora insisted on walking Amelia upstairs, e

said. "You do not get to act invinc

n't ac

s the p

ir usual places, covered in fabric books, sketches, and rolled plans.

have fel

y unpaid invoice, every fragile possibility, ever

losing it made

small office at the back.

't nee

old it angrily

lia

itchenette, Amelia opened

box was s

conds, she onl

it out and place

he lid. Gold chain. Oval pendant. Dark-blue s

ind as though it coul

e it

ple: This was beautiful,

closed

against the stud

the reception are

d be a d

ix-th

to climb before she h

ent to

to make out. Then Nora appeared in the of

s he

tightened aroun

considered telling N

ecided she could not

in," Am

t move. "Ar

swallowed. "B

without an umbrella, rain darke

orning silence. His hair was damp, slightly disordered. His jaw was tight. The usual u

Amelia

spine st

e office, clearly unwilling t

walls, scattered plans, worn desk, and shelve

ale,"

ty was almo

. H

narrowed

, neither of

said, "We n

s on the desk. "You ha

ction, but she saw it. A flicker of

mergency bo

ted you from sen

N

answer un

ame here because I received information tha

face we

omeone fol

N

ow do y

ened. "My office was informed after your name

ind of

esit

s answe

ly. "You had my n

not li

exactly l

d to the clinic f

velvet box

etween th

to her face, colde

pregnant?

e it

rn. No g

n the same tone he might

ear she had carried since the c

" she

went

ence st

d off, every emotion locking behind the severe l

d you fi

od

planning to

in his voice st

I had only been awake for an hour when

n't what

get to int

ask questions if you

landed w

chi

our

you al

ver thinking he had seen her as an

xpression remained rigid. "You

did

looking for an oppor

ent comple

d only after the words were already bet

planned this?

e timing is

d, she coul

ashed through her. Maybe you should focus

llowed it, colder and

ng is co

the desk, her hands

listened while I spoke about work I have spent my entire life

jaw ti

am pregnant, you have decided I mus

not say

d not h

ned to hers. "Amelia, you do not und

ared a

oftly. "I unders

ibrating in his coat

he said. "Whatever financial support yo

to

pped with the

out to him. The gold necklace rested inside,

ur apartment. I don't want your name, you

at the necklace bu

but she refused t

la because I needed a chance. But I did not come looking for you,

ox and set it firmly on

e met h

nothing