Ashes Of Affection

oomed like an accusa

her spine. Her fingers gripped the strap of her bag as if she were walking into

me. Gone was the pleading daughter, the socialite on the verge of

unway. Polished. Clean. Too clean. Her boots echoed with

," the woman said, pressing a

chin tilted, face unreadable, the faintest red in her eyes betrayed only by fatigue. The woman staring back

n't knock. She walked into Rhe

mething. His suit jacket hung off the back of his leather chair,

, he didn't turn

w, casual, but there was something alert i

a manila envelop

ve te

ade hi

ired than last time, but somehow more alive. There was tension in his shoulders, the kind that belon

flipping through the p

n holding my debts. I want access to my own funds. I want say in what

owly. "You think th

contract. And no con

ame. Your image. But while you're out here controlling optics, I have to survive the narrative. The whispers.

pt across his face. "You su

. "Good. I plan

"Very well. Your condi

ise. Not just yo

d once.

as if something unspoken passed betw

or the first

tucked into his pocket. "Now. Tell

he name already typed. Savannah Delacroix,

m with professional indifference. Everything about the room reeked of precision glass paperweig

e, arms folded. He wasn't watchin

nah s

ture didn

nt. The thud of ink and steel

ched, retrie

d. "You're now the most e

him. "Is there a dr

wedding?" she

There will be no guests. No vows. No

. Not because she was afraid because she was alrea

ned to

ind him explod

as

other.

ross the street, a camera lens glinted

was wa

had seen

shut with a sharp snap. The room dimmed instantly. Savannah stood

private," s

"They'll spin it. They always do. B

erfume. Mirrors multiplied her reflection until Savann

rfect. She didn't feel like she belonged in i

pinning fabric, adjusting seams, fa

ly notic

oor c

winter. Uninvited, unbothe

aid, her heels clicking across th

slowly. "You'r

I never need an invitation. Espe

nd smooth, with a fur-trimmed co

mirror again. "What

tepping closer. "To see what he p

Still playing the ghost o

"Still pretending thi

dress, her fingers like icicles. "It's a nice pie

way. "You've made your poi

breath warm and sweet

ve you, right? He nev

ngers curled

k. "He'll tire of the act. And

rned t

words, barel

still

licked shut. The mirro

ared at her

idn't

her clenched like a f

n't feel ele

t like

nside, a voice

ll