The Price of His "Parting Gift"

ing to piece her life back together. Her agent, Bren

enda asked, stirring her latte

uss," Ava said flatly. "H

st walk out on him. Think about your ca

ant his help

e perfume and effortless confidence. She was striking, with sharp features a

eir table. She walked over, a polite but cool smile

odded

aid. Her name sent a jolt through Ava

k," Seraphina continued, her smile not quite reaching her ey

on the screen was a pictu

one. The

for Ethan. The one she' d

e was light, but the message was clear. "He said it was designed by a g

t just that Ethan had lied and used her, he' d taken the most personal, meaning

sary next week," Seraphina added, her eyes gle

n from her face. Brenda

" Seraphina' s smile widened. "I' m playing the lead. It'

eep her close, to make her watch as he flaunted his new life with Seraphina, starring in a

her from the media scrutiny that came with his level of fame, to let her build her career on her own merit. Now she saw the real reason. He wasn' t protecting her, he was hiding her. He n

ed, standing up abruptly. S

" Seraphina called after he

phone, her hands shaking. She had to talk to him. She had to hear

e, twice, t

Ethan's voice

"Ethan' s a little busy righ

, the world tilting around her. He wasn't just with her, he was letting her answer his phone. It was a delibera