MasukThe 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
Alicia's POV The studio had gone dark around me before I noticed. I’d been staring at my laptop for hours—four tabs open: press coverage from different countries, engagement metrics, partnership follow-ups, and internal reports from the campaign team. Work that demanded attention. Work that kept
"Of course, of course." Caroline touched her necklace. "Perhaps another time? Do you have a card?" I pulled one from my inner pocket and handed it to her. "Perfect." She tucked it into her clutch. "I'll have Emma reach out to your office." "Looking forward to it." Vivienne's smile widened slight
Daniel stood near the windows talking to an older man in a gray suit. Expensive watch. The posture of someone used to being the most important person in every room. Daniel saw me. His entire face softened. He said something to the man and gestured politely. The man nodded and stepped away. Da
Ice into the shaker. Gin. Vermouth. Metal striking metal. He poured, strained, and dropped an olive into the glass. Set it in front of me. I lifted it. The gin burned cold down my throat. I set it back on the bar. Around me, the room kept moving. Conversations rose and fell. People shifte







