Gilded scars

desk, watching him tuck a loose strand of silver hair behind his ear as he reviewed the latest real-estate acquisition proposal. The

ting the file aside. "Thank

st the edge of his desk. "You asked m

s easing. "I'm not used to having some

with a new, fragile intimacy. Richard rose and st

taught me that weakness could be fatal in business showing it was inviting attack. I sacrificed friendships, family dinners, even

ped her hand into his. "I'm sor

d. "Tell me

e to state, never staying long enough to matter. You learn to keep your head down, and make yourself useful, but never ge

ip along her cheek.

ion rippled through Richard as if he, too, wrestled with

ed, voice cracking

s lips, and the night stretched b

ir sweet with the scent of night-blooming jasmine. He was showing her an orchid

one bloom like th

ething more shining in h

tween them evaporating. Then Richard took her hand, turni

" he said softly. "You've unlocked par

htened. "You did

re footprints in the soft earth of their confessi

east wing to retrieve a report for Richard

Is th

ossed, eyes widening as she took in Emma's flu

you were here,"

d anger warring in her

pounded. "C

how you're turning my father's attention t

htened. "Clara, i

e last night I saw you both... I saw you in his study, and

owed. "Cla

ought you were my friend, my ally." Her voice crac

and fled down the hallway, her silk robe

over her like a storm cloud. Richard's key felt hot in

rs, the shock of Clara's accusation still pounding in her ears. She clasped the bronze key in her

bed and fished her phone from her pocket-only to

ing the key. There's

ng for this fissure to open. Emma glanced at the key once more, its spiral pattern gleaming in the lamplight, and

Tomorrow, she would have to face Clara, Richard, and whatever shadows lurked be