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
Edward's POV Friday morning. I sat at my desk. Inbox open. Hawthorne debrief memo from Victor already seated at the top, timestamped 6:47 AM. Subject line: Re: Partnership Parameters – Revised Scope I hadn't opened it yet. Didn't need to. Victor's tone yesterday said everything. The meeting
"You bullied her." My voice low. Controlled. "In high school. At Millbrook Prep." "I didn't…" "You called her a charity case." "Edward." "You tormented her." Lucy's eyes darted to Sienna, back to me. "She's lying. I don't even remember her." "You don't remember?" My voice rose. "You don't reme
My chest constricted. "I asked you," he continued. "In the parking lot. Remember? I asked if you were happy. You said yes so fast I knew it was a lie." My mother's grip on my hands tightened. "I told myself I was wrong," my father said. "That I was seeing problems that weren't there. That you wer
Edward's POV Twelve forty. The elevator opened into the penthouse. I stepped out and the first thing I registered was Lucy. She stood near the dining table with Vivienne, both mid-conversation. The sight of her triggered something immediate—regret, sudden and sour. I stayed where I was. Keys i







