LOGINHe and Lily had spent two New Year's Eves together, back when they were still married.Every year, before the holiday, she'd handle every last detail of the preparations herself.Never once interrupting his work for any of it.Vanessa felt like she'd been struck in the chest. "You what did you just say?"Nathan pinched the bridge of his nose.He'd heard himself, too, a beat too late.He opened his mouth, already reaching for something to smooth it overVanessa lunged forward instead, sweeping her arm across his desk, sending everything crashing to the floor.His laptop included.Clack. Clack. Clack.One heavy object after another hit the ground.Nathan's face went pale.He looked up sharply.His expression gone cold, distant."Pick it up," he said, slow and precise. "Pick the laptop up, Vanessa."She flinched at the tone.But only for a second.She thrust her pregnant belly forward, defiant. "What, you want to hit me now? Go ahead. Hit the baby while you're at it."Nathan just looked
Brookview Apartments.Serena showed up at the door.When Eleanor saw her, she greeted her as warmly as ever. "Serena, dear was Lily with you last night?"Serena's mouth curled into something sharp. "Grandma Ashford, you have no idea what kind of person your granddaughter really is."Eleanor's brow furrowed.She studied Serena's face.Something about the girl felt off today.Eleanor's voice lost its usual warmth. "What exactly are you implying? Didn't Lily go out with you yesterday?"Serena unloaded every ounce of humiliation she'd suffered at Adrian's hands straight onto Eleanor."Grandma Ashford, do you have any idea what your precious Lily actually is? I thought she was my friend, and she went and seduced the man I love! Does she have no shame at all? Does your whole family have none?"Eleanor froze.For a moment, she couldn't even process it.Her chest tightened with fury.She could barely breathe.Robin came sprinting out the door.Planted herself in front of Eleanor instantly. "S
Adrian said nothing.Leo pressed his lips together, choosing not to push. "I'll head out, then, if there's nothing else."Adrian gave a short "Mm."Leo left the hotel, glancing back more than once on his way out.Adrian's phone rang.He checked the screen.The number was familiar.He was almost certain who it was.He picked up.On the other endSerena's voice came through, hesitant. "Mr. Sterling... could we talk?"Adrian's jaw tightened slightly.He gave her the room number.About half an hour laterSerena arrived.She rang the bell, and once the door opened, stepped inside.Sat down on the sofa, staring straight ahead.Adrian sat across from her.She pressed her lips together. "I'll get straight to it, Mr. Sterling. Do you have feelings for Lily?"His eyes narrowed.Something sharp and dangerous radiated off him.Serena's nerves spiked.But she'd come too far to turn back now. "I have photographs."Adrian let out a short, humorless laugh.The sound sent a chill through her low, dark
By the time Lily got back, all six dishes had arrived.Serena waved her over. "There you are everything's out already. You took forever.""Grandma called," Lily said, a little sheepish. "I had to pick up."Serena smiled. "She worries about you, doesn't she. Must be nice.""My grandmother never calls just to check in like that."Lily smiled but said nothing."Come on, sit," Serena said. "The wine's breathed enough by now I snuck a taste, it's really smooth."They settled in across from each other.Serena pulled two wine glasses from the rack.Set one down in front of Lily.Lily thanked her quietly.Serena poured for both of them. "Let me toast you first, sister. You've been so gracious about yesterday I still feel awful about it. This'll make me feel a little better, at least."Lily smiled and lifted her glass.Clinked it gently against Serena's.Took a sip."Good, right?" Serena asked.Lily nodded. "It's nice."Serena refilled her glass eagerly. "Have more, then. You're off work anywa
Adrian paused for only a moment.ThenHe walked out, calm and unhurried.The tea room fell into dead silence behind him.Winston gripped his teacup so tightly his knuckles went white.His eldest son the one he'd pinned every hope on ruined by some woman just like it had happened before. He wouldn't let it happen twice. Not to his best son.Every fox in a henhouse looked harmless at first glance.The first time he'd laid eyes on Lily, he'd seen that same shadow behind her eyes the one that had cost him so much, once before.Which was exactly whyHe couldn't let Adrian stay tangled up with her a moment longer, however complicated things already were between them.After Adrian leftHe went to Milo's room.Prescott was just stepping out and saw him coming, murmuring quietly, "Milo's already asleep. He was very good tonight."Adrian nodded.Prescott hesitated.Then tried once more. "Sir the old master's last checkup wasn't good news. Heart, circulation there are real concerns there.""H
At the Sterling family estate.The old man sat in the tea room, cup in hand.The strained, off-key piano notes drifting in from next door were grating on his last nerve.He set his cup down hard. "That child has no ear for music whatsoever. Nothing like his father. Listen to that racket you'd think someone was slaughtering a pig in there."Mr. Prescott smiled and poured him another cup.He was about to say somethingWhen the landline rang nearby.Prescott answered quickly.Then held it out, murmuring, "It's Director Dalton."Winston took the receiver. "Dalton. What's got you calling this late?""Happy New Year, a little early," Dalton said, warm.Winston grunted. "That all? You're not actually planning on stopping by, I take it."Dalton laughed.Winston cut to it. "Out with it."Dalton cleared his throat. "I've got a daughter twenty-five this year, a couple years younger than Adrian. Just back from studying abroad. I was thinking, maybe it's time the two of them meet?"Something calcu







