LOGINThe engines went quiet at six. The hull met the pier. The crew moved above us. River light came through the porthole, grey and silver, crossing the ceiling in slow panels. She was on her side facing me. Her hair across the pillow. Her mouth softly parted in the way that belonged only to sleep. I
Edward’s POV The hull rose and settled with the slow pull of the river. I lay in the dark with my jacket on the floor and my shoes beside it and listened to the boat. The timber. The joins. The engine below running its low faithful count. The porthole showed clouds. The moon behind it traced the
"I fell off a bicycle when I was seven," I said. "Broke my arm. The left one." "You're afraid of the dark," he said. "You sleep with the curtain open so the street light comes in. You never told me directly but I worked it out in the third month." I set down my wine. "You remember that." "I remem
Alicia's POV The dress arrived at four. I found the box on Elena's table. Black paper, no ribbon, his handwriting stark on the card: The water. Inside, folded in tissue, was the black silk from the wardrobe at the estate. The one I had left hanging there. I showered. I pinned my hair up. At seve
Edward's POV The grey light filled the room. Alicia's leg lay across mine, heavy with sleep. Her hair spread on my shoulder, across the pillow. Her palm rested on my chest, rising and falling with my breath. The arm beneath her had gone numb hours ago. I flexed my fingers until the pins and needl
Alicia's POV He was on the floor. I looked at him until the silence found its shape. He looked back. The full version of him. Just Edward on the floor, his eyes on mine, waiting without arranging what he was waiting for. "We never chose each other," he said. "Let me choose you." "Then start,"
Alicia's POV The house was lit when I pulled into the driveway. Every window glowed warm against the dark. Edward’s Mercedes-AMG GT63 sat in its usual spot, engine cold. Sleek—immaculate, like everything else he owned. I killed the ignition and sat there for a moment, hands still gripping the wh
“It is,” Vivienne said warmly. “Which is why it’s so important to preserve it. To protect it from...” She paused. “Dilution.” Dilution. Elegant. Lethal. I was the dilution. The unwanted ingredient. “I understand,” I said quietly. Vivienne smiled, triumphant. “I’m so glad we can speak plainly.”
“Board meeting materials. She said you’d need them before Monday.” Edward reached for it. But Lucy shifted. Extended it toward me instead. “Actually, Alicia, would you mind holding onto this? Edward’s about to be pulled away—” She glanced across the room where some tech CEO type was clearly waiti
Alicia’s POV I pushed through the bathroom door. The hallway was empty. Music drifted from the ballroom. Voices layered over piano. I walked back, heels clicking against marble. Deep breath. Smile. Perform. The ballroom opened before me. Still packed. Still glittering under chandeliers. I scan







