Finding Hope Where Heartbreak Once Lingered

s his face. "When did that happen? I thought you

d calmly, her gaze dropping to his

n had forced him to the ground, Danny's

ismissively. His injury was

d of yours... don't tell me he dumped you because he hear

oment before nodding faintly.

s with you, too spineless to show his face to your family or friends-and now that my famil

and closing firmly around Claire's. "Come

asting one final glance t

. Carsten clearly had no

t dissolved into quiet resignation. She straighten

the fragrance of expensive perfume and the so

t, gathered to witness what they considered a grand j

ain, Claire maintained a flawless smile, mechanically completing

uiding her through the crowd like an exquisitely dressed pu

departed, night had alrea

gh the restaurant's main entrance-only to have a sle

Carsten's striking, angular feat

at him, Claire turned and

got in. "Did you and Carsten have a fi

s car whenever Carsten was driving. It

smile touching her lips. "I just sudd

ghed and looked away. "So you finally noticed my good qualities? But

thetically speaking-if we were together, but I had to constantly consider my ex-boyfriend's f

your ex, why would you even be with me? And keeping things secret

a trace of desolation

ould never endure... she had borne

ionless in his car, staring in the direction Cla

snapped back to reality when the cigarette b

.

rried forward, presenting her with an elaborately wrappe

hands, she noticed its unexpect

ceremony, leaving it untouched on a storage shelf

eal for her-not even eno

ill ring of her phone, teari

e through the line, careful and sub

mong the very few who knew the

s fixed on the ceiling above her. "It d

he believed losing Carsten w

all she felt was a hollow stillness-a

ly. "I took today off just for you. Get up-we'

turned on the speakerphone. "Then I'll make sure to

p, she made her

d in the dining room, the breakfast

warmly. "I was about to send someone up

seated across from her, wordlessly pushed a plate of fr

nly remembers how to be considerate. Let me guess-the Carters wired mon

is family for years. She has already become a real Dale

im ever being this thoughtful before. Funny how it

k across the table. "Thanks. But no need,"

hadn't drawn so much as

l wiped the color from Car

oth things over. "Logan called earlier. He wanted to

ression unreadable. "I haven't o

"You didn't even open it? That was a gift

ioned for a maid to go upst

sting, Claire finally opened t

atmosphere in the room shifted, an