The Billionaire Widow's Redemption

EL

ion of false sympathy. "Hazel, I'm so sorry," she began, her voice soft and cloying

eyes meeting hers, and I let the mask of politeness fall

ve used my parents t

eyes welled with tears, her lip trembled

to her?" he snarled, rushing to Jodie's side and pull

t," Jodie sobbed into his ches

s!" Carter said, glaring at

d hands and a bitter, self-m

ie's hand. "I'm just trying to look out for you, Ha

the house. Smoke began to pour from un

Jodie

abbed Jodie and ran in the opposite direction,

n there, the only things I had left of him. The smoke was thick, choking

ked from t

e only ones who had gone that way. They had

e back. I ran, my lungs burning, and threw my shoulder against it. It burst op

front of the house. Bertrand was standing there, hi

mething and knocked over a lamp," he

e, his arm wrapped protectively ar

hroat and just shook my head

med up the driveway. Officers ru

r of handcuffs on my wrists. "Hazel Finley, you're under arrest for

ery's online payment portal months ago, to sell a few pieces for a "friend." Carte

ther act of trust,

amed, my eyes locking

and, who had clutched his chest, his face turnin

ld interrogation room. When they finally let me go, I

heir cameras flashing like light

t true you've been

ing such shame to

ace, cold and sticky. The crowd laughed. I tried to speak,

ter emerged, flanked by bodyguards. He pushed through the crowd, his face a perfec

red, his voice full of fake remo

the street the whole time. He had watched. He wanted m

tation was destroyed. That night, I walked

Jodie, his hands

just a task. An obligation. Do you know how much I hate it? After I touch

t, whimpering so

mbled back, my hand knocking a vase of

de the study st

rter's voice was