The Ex-Wife's Silent Vow

year

Gala -

n in time, and the air inside the ballroom shimme

the top of the grand staircase, pausing only a moment. Ever

slit high enough to hint at the danger beneath the elegance. Her hair flowed in glossy waves over one should

room slowly, u

presence broug

room in a conversation he cl

n years, he was the

o

stairs like royalty

her. "May I say, you've just made the

national empire, holding two champagne flutes. Tall, impe

a small nod. "Mr. Stone. S

. "You wound me. I t

ife these last two years-a powerful ally, maybe something

t

saw Damon watching. Jaw tight.

wa

o

n his curiosity. Let h

an before him was really

smiled-not at Damon, but at th

The rebranding. The secret she kept b

w she made the night she wa

l I have something you

- across t

ouldn't

sed to be a g

a drawer along with

-there

remembered. Colder,

Ste

man... God, the woman was Arianna.

Lila hissed fr

forgot she

bout it," Damo

ed. "You'r

id-do

ready wal

ard

ched the spot where sh

w made of si

Private Ga

e and let herself breathe. The gala was a performance, and s

omple

. No name-just an encrypted conta

g. He asked fo

trembled j

. He

't know. N

ouldn't.

l he saw what it was like to lose something you

e - Ten mi

ballroom, only to fi

ahan. In f

er cufflinks, stubble just enough to give him that edge. But his conf

ian

and disinterested. "I think you'

link. "No.

unfazed. "Then perhaps you

id, voice low, nearly pl

id

ht you w

ers without looking back. W

ldness in her tone cut

derstand eve

lieved the lies. And you threw me away like garbage

I need

e enough for him to tast

ot entitl

t, she turned her