/1/115166/coverbig.jpg?v=bdd9e2a2cb0ae0f58c7b5b1274391a23&imageMogr2/format/webp)
gh the gap in the heavy velvet curtains
ion haze and psychological manipulation. The fragmented memories of her recent past-the countless times she had stared blankly past her five-year-old son, the way his small body would instinctively shrink away from her errat
r legs out, tangling in the silk sheets, and scrambled out o
oor of the bedr
were wide, tracking her erratic movements. When he saw her wild expression, his small shoulders ins
gainst her ribs. He was
step toward him, he
An empty wine bottle spun across th
pped the bear and threw both of his arms over his head, shrinking back agains
stomach. Bile rose in her throat. She forced her feet to stop movin
hook, but she forced it to be as sof
His amber eyes were filled with deep, ingrained suspicion. He pressed his ba
eping into her skin. She kept her hands open and resting on he
t, tears burning the backs of her eyes. "I promise
a fraction of an inc
rds, three sharp, aggressive k
oom. His posture was rigid, his nose slight
nly veiled disgust. "The production crew for Sup
he reality show. The public humiliation. The PR script des
vaporated, replaced by a
and walked straight into the massive walk-in closet. She needed to stri
factured trainwreck. She grabbed a plain, oversized grey cotton sweatshirt and a pair o
water onto her face. The shock of the cold cleared the last remnants of the hangover. She st
s still standing by the door,
him up. Instead, she gently reached down and wra
hand back, but Cecile held on. Her grip wasn't tight, but it was steady
im out into
apers. He took one look at her bare face and plain clo
apers toward her. "The team expects you to follow t
raise her hand. She kept her grip on D
sideways to block her path. "Mr.
er eyes locked onto Arthur's. There was no hy
as quiet, but it carried the
back, his spine suddenly slick with cold sweat. He watched,
her assistant, Taylor, had the cameras rolling. The red recording l
Cecile stepped into the light, Taylor's mouth snapped shut. No heavy makeup.
he cameraman's shoulder, pointing fr
oom microphone and lunged forward, shoving
e overly loud. "Are you scared to
d backward, trying to hide behind Cecile's legs, his small hands gr
e away with the back of her hand. The heavy thud
own body as a physical shield be
slicing through the room like a raz
th to argue, but Cecile's eyes pinned her to the spot. The shee
ploded. Millions of viewers w
She's abusing
ooks terri
his toxi
r. She bent down and scooped Damien into her arms. Her movements were slightly
rs, down the stone steps, and climbed into
/1/115166/coverbig.jpg?v=bdd9e2a2cb0ae0f58c7b5b1274391a23&imageMogr2/format/webp)