When Love Died, Freedom Began

d in a blur of calculate

heir renewed, now unobstruct

eekend getaways to Napa, charity galas whe

formance of bliss, undoubtedly design

dle of tears, called her few friends for frantic comm

mply blocked t

and Ben, noticed th

r coffee. "He' s plastering Jessica all over the

ost whatever he wants. It has

ideas for a fashion line, a textile busine

liberately on her part. She wanted no ti

ing Eleanor Caldwell' s philanthropic lega

than pointedly ignoring her while lavishing attention on Jes

orn Amelia dec

anddaughter-in-law, to announce a student art scholarship

ess, a stark contrast to the glitter

ourse, practically fused to Ethan's si

s, who had always treated Amelia with polite

t Caroline gushed, air-kissing her. "So go

of outsider status, but it

ger vying for

with a booming voice, spot

is tone accusatory. "Thought you'd have the de

diamonds, sniffed. "Honestly

ipple of disapproval thro

composure, her e

ortunity, glided over,

sweetness. "I' m so surprised to see you. Are you...

a spark of triumph, a

and Amelia was the

ve risen to the bait, a shar

, his voice cold, d

ly event. Perhaps it wo

his gaze fixed somewh

istered. He was still playing by the

he game had changed because

imed in, their voices a

trying to c

uld be so d

ves to be ha

he had heard it all before, in her

, it was

calm and clear, carrying surpr

, then at the portrait of Eleanor that dominated the hall. "She was very

rnation, crossed their faces. This

n, a strange, unreadabl

e quiet, private alcove where Ele

ite gardenia, Eleanor'

ing her eyes. "I couldn't be what you wanted me to be fo

fragile but real

her own life,

fabric announced

ice sharp, all pretense of sweetnes

did have a soft

snapped the stem of the gardenia, then dropped t

cruel smile playing on

ken flower, then at Jess