LOGINThe auctioneer's cadence moved through the wall. I had built something without him. That was still true. It would stay true. Whatever I said next didn't touch it. "I don't know," I said. "That's the honest answer. Not the managed version." I met his gaze. "I don't know if what's left is enough to
Alicia's POV The older man was still talking. "Seven years," he said. "Four jurisdictions. We moved water infrastructure across borders that hadn't spoken to each other in a generation." His hands traced corridors in the air between us. "The archive is the proof it happened. That it worked." He tu
“You entered without cause,” I said. “You stayed without one.” “I don’t know what this is between you two but—” “My wife.” No variation in tone. No additional weight needed. Alicia’s hand lifted a little, then halted mid-motion and settled again without completing the gesture. The woman exhaled
Edward’s POV “Forty thousand. Do I have forty-five?” The paddle was already raised. Alicia’s hand remained under mine, unchanged in position, as though neither of us had adjusted to its presence since it settled there. “Forty-five.” I raised. “Fifty. Fifty-five.” On the left, a man leaned forw
The fifth lot began. Edward moved to speak to someone at the side of the room. I watched the auctioneer. She crossed the room toward him. He turned when she spoke. She laughed. It had worked before, that laugh. I scanned the sixth lot. Mixed media, authenticated 2019, provenance verified. Her h
Alicia's POV Volkov was already at the door when we came in. His eyes went to my dress and came back up. Lazily. He turned to Edward, and they shook hands. It ran a half-second longer than it needed. "You both came," he said. "You invited us," Edward said. "I invite many people. They don't alwa
She was trying to shift focus. Make Daniel the center. Diminish Alicia. But Daniel wasn't biting. "The Series D round went well," he said. "Routine for a company our size. What Alicia built, though? That’s real innovation." Alicia reached out. Touched his arm lightly. "Daniel." Her voice was sof
Edward's POV The estate gates opened as I pulled through. I hadn't decided to come here. My hands had just turned the wheel. Away from the convention center. Away from the exhibition hall where Alicia had stood in front of sixty-three press outlets and proven she didn't need anything I'd ever giv
Alicia's POV Twelve fifty. The cab slowed at a red light three blocks from the address. I glanced at my phone, though nothing had changed. The text sat there exactly as it had all morning, plain, unambiguous. Lunch. 1 o’clock. 140 Franklin St. Buzzer 4B. “Almost there,” the driver said, catchin
The world tilted. “What?” “Edward Valentine. Your soon-to-be ex-husband. He’s my brother.” “What Edward?” My chest tightened, breath stalling. “No.” I shook my head. “That’s not possible.” “Alicia.” “You can’t be his brother.” My hand went for the door. “You can’t.” “I didn’t tell you because







