When Love Turns To Ashes

was holding a glass of champagne, laughing with a group of socialites. She caught my eye, and a cruel, knowing smile to

r

ds were a confession, a triumphant boast. It wasn't an accid

chest. I pushed through the

echoing in the suddenly silent ballroom

s face a thundercloud. "What are you t

inting a shaking finger at

ce. "Ethan, I don't know what she's talking

pity and morbid curiosity. "Poor woman," so

ia's reputation," another

are embarrassing me," he hissed, his voice a ve

ingers digging into my flesh. He didn't speak. The silence was more terrifying than any shou

house was cold and empty, a monument to his wealth and his detachment. He dragged me into the

self," he said, his voice dangerously calm. He went into th

d to coo

k of the freezing water stole my breath. I gasped,

nacing silhouette against th

at him, my tee

to the room. Two large, impassiv

to my knees. Ethan knelt in front

caress. "Your body, your mind, your soul. Everything about yo

infinity pool on the balcony until my lungs burned. They pulled me up

as he arranged business. Then Olivia arrived. He greeted her with a kiss, his arm wrapping a

ly, wiping away my tears, promising that as long as he was there, no

and truly dead. This creature wearing his face was a monster, and he would nev

, dumping me on the cold tile floor.

again. "Have you le

answer. I

scooped me up in his arms, his touch no longer g

ed, my voice a ragged breath.

t in his eyes. "Never," he said, his

m, I finally understood. Escape was not eno