re
design studio. My sanctuary. The place I had built from the ground up
e. He never wore casual clothes when we were together. I had once suggested we get matching shirts for a vacation, and he had dismissed the idea, saying
the architectural models. Her expression shifted from casual disdain to genuine surpris
nd with a bewildered expression. He couldn't grasp why I would bother. "Clare, I gave
rital assets, not because I needed his money, but because I deserved it. He had handed it
ng over a design sketch. I turned to face them, my expressi
, my voice even, steady. "It has no
gry, playing a part. He couldn't comprehend genuine independence or pa
. "Clare, darling, it's so nice to see you. Elliot has told me so much about your new lit
betraying no emotion. "It's a succes
e to bristle, to show some weakness. My
een, then excused himself, stepping outside to take the ca
umphant, predatory smirk. Her eyes, usually wide and innocent, narrowed
for you, yes. But don't think for a second you've won. He's only doing it out of a misguide
I'm the one who belongs in the Fields family, not some middle-class girl who had to chase after El
fore you even think about it, you'll sign this." She pulled a folded legal document from her designer handba
. I kept my eyes locked on hers, my voice
Haylee? And yet here you are, delivering legal threats on behalf of a woman wh
-a tiny crack in
Elliot doesn't even know yet. About the pregnancy I terminated. About the
h the quiet satisfaction of holdi
cument. I'll add it to m
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