forcing herself to
bling hand, and waved down a yellow t
t. The worn leather clung
e the driver the address
o streaks of color. Cassidy stared at her reflection i
e prestigious research position she had given up
rough edges of her personality and hidden her talents, all to
e wave of nausea
ramping, and she struggled to suppress t
ly handed the driver a banknote, then got out and stepped onto the sidewalk. Her
r. Cassidy took a deep, trembling breath, forced h
e, she went straight to the huge glass cof
huge bouquet of ninety-
t orders it every year, like clockwork. Co
the thick, expensive wrapping
nd embedded itself deeply in her index finger. A
pain was nothing compared to th
blood flowing out, and yanked the huge bo
ffed the expensive, perfect roses d
less white marble floor, looking like the shattered an
bedroom. She stood in front of the dress
ed the heavy diamond necklace Cornel
top drawer. The diamond struck the
past rows of designer gowns, and pulled an ol
airs of jeans, a few plain sweaters, and an old,
em bearing the unseen la
ase, she took out her phone and di
eepy, hoarse voice came through,
e," Cassidy said. Her
e on the other end of the ph
you say?"
ring at the empty space in the walk
o sud
ts me like an ornament, an object!
and professional. "I'll contact the most ruthless di
handle of her black briefcase and walked ou
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