Ashes to Phoenix: A Love Reborn

hes: lobster thermidor, truffle risotto, a delicate sea bass. Not a single thing on the table was something Ember

e Estelle sitting in her chair at the h

her voice dripping with false sweetness. "C

so blatant,

y," Ember said,

ow you' re upset with me. But I swear, Julian and I are just friends. I wou

er' s hand. "Please, don' t let m

hand back as if s

ry as she collapsed onto the floor. "My ankle! The o

omed over Ember. "What is your problem? C

t. "Julian," she asked, her voice trembling slig

her allergies. The sea bass. The lobster. He remembered. For a

orgot," h

ome on. I' ll take you out.

he could respond, a loud clatter came from the flo

e hot iron. He rushed to Estelle' s side, h

Julian... I' m so sorry... I think

s arms. "I' m taking

ned her eyes. She looked directly at Embe

s clear. I win

ent tears of utter defeat. He would always, always choose

is fine. Doctor wants to keep her overnight for observation. He thin

ghable. But a cold knot of dread tightened in her stomach. Despite ev

alked down the hallway to the private wing and stoppe

d. Estelle had her arms wrapped around his neck, pulli

ian?" Estelle whispe

ion of a second. "Yes,"

le asked, a cruel edge to her

Julian said, his voice fl

de of stone. She couldn' t move, couldn' t breathe. She just stood there, hidden in the shadow

fling a sob. The pain was grounding, a ph

ital corridor, away from the sound of thei