My Ex-Husband's Regret: The Billionaire's Return

pped forward as the

skull. He pressed his thumb and forefinger against the bridge of his nose, grinding in

t back there,

son slumped against the worn leather seat and watched Manhattan blur past the

akes s

nst the glass. The sound echoed

ng on the horn. "You see this idi

inches. Anderson pressed his palm against the window, feeling the vib

e radio," An

bout some political scandal, the volume cranked to maximum. Sal's jaw tightened. He rea

ed past forty-

t empty leather. He checked his other pocket, then the inne

ing him in the mirror. "Do

ve a

. These people, I swear.

slammed it against the reader mounted on the back of the

d. Processing, it read. Then

led at the curb, exhaust seeping through the floor vents. Anderson's ches

seconds

r beeped.

ng sun hit his retinas like a physical blow. He stumbled, throw

ded with his

an in a charcoal suit strode past without breaking s

" Anderso

moke. His apartment building was three blocks north. He counted the steps i

fumbled in his pocket for his key card. H

ng of motor oil. He must have brushed against something in the taxi. He wipe

ooke

it, black pumps, hands clasped in front of her like she was

d. Debra Hampton. His sister's former assistant. The woman Elianna us

omach

for another exit. Maybe he could circle

der

hadows, moving fast. Her heels clicked against the concrete. She posi

ted them. He could smell her perfum

flat, cold. He kept his hands in his

oked at him with an expression he could

son Ca

made something cold settle in his chest. His headache receded, replac

ers, the same bag she'd carried for six years. She withdrew

. His hands stayed b

eer in his own voice. "Elianna running out

ust slightly. Enough to

es wer

sneer froze

. Her voice cracked o

ngine roaring. The noise swallowed whatever came next

coffee on her breath, close enough to see t

ha

. When she opened her eyes again, she looked directly at him. H

na is

ing for the punchline. Waiting for Debra to break into laughter,

ears bega

, the distant construction-all of it compressed into a single h

the edge of th

dmilled, searching for balance. The sky til

sleeve, gripping the wool. The fabric tore with a so

his spine. His palm slapped against the rough step s

no satisfaction, none of the triumph Elianna's messenge

could see his sister's handwriting on the front.

son C

ed, and the blur spread, and