Erasing the Woman He Promised Forever

as cold and clear. Stars glittered

bed. It was a deep emerald green, Jaylah's signature color. A de

he silk was cold

thrumming with music and c

e was in a perfectly tailored tuxedo, looki

nce it," he said. A com

ry. For a moment, it was like all the other parties they had

s. All of them smiling, their eyes filled with congra

rop. The tragic, yet g

own, surrounded by her friends. She raised her champ

t to her lips, the bubbles fizzing against her tongue. This was her fina

she slipped out onto the terrace

ne balustrade, looking out

't alone

ng of j

n't recognize was standing in the shadows. He was ta

A graduate student who had attended a few of Floyd's university fundraisers. He had

d. "Just gett

way down." He smiled, a kind, easy smile that held no

spond, she heard Fl

was shar

you are. We're c

ssessive anger crossed his face before being replaced by a mask of politeness. He did

d two women gossip

ill keeping her around after all t

t fund. Making sure she's taken care of

, a lifelong pension for services rendered

loyd, her expre

h Floyd's. She leaned up and kissed his cheek, leaving

eth, then at Keenan,

transfer of ownership. He leaned down and whispered something in Jaylah's ear, the same way h

he cold, indifferent sta

lari

cross the terrace, carrying t

matically. "Oh, it'

get you out of the cold." He glanced back at Elizebeth, a

mmand. The guardi

idn't

letting the cold rain fall on her

oice quiet but firm.

e of concern for her and his duty to his new fiancée.

e in the rain, a sma

r his to command. The rain was washing away the la

hought, a fierce, silent declara

as all being washed clean. She was no longer the girl he w