LOGIN"And the contract was withdrawn shortly after." "Yes." "How did you interpret that?" "She followed through." Cole objected. Speculation. Sustained. "Ms. Holloway. Across three years of events. How would you describe Alicia Valentine's manner?" "Controlled. Always controlled. She was never visi
Her smile faltering. A shadow passing across it. "Because I want you to understand—" "No." A step closer. "You are here because you are terrified. Because despite everything. Despite the photo. Despite Edward sleeping with you. Despite wearing his grandmother's necklace. You're still not his wife.
Alicia's POV The screen came on. The photography gallery. Museum lighting. Artwork on the walls. I was already there when Lucy walked in. I watched myself from across a courtroom. The navy gown. Hair up. Standing in front of a photograph of a woman whose face was half in shadow. Lucy stopped be
"No." She picked up one page from her table. Set it back down without reading it. The movement of someone who had taken in every word long before this moment and no longer needed to see them again. "Mr. Valentine. You called Alicia Valentine thirteen times that morning." "Yes." "She didn't answe
Edward's POV Four steps to Cole's table. Folder down. His hand moved over it without looking up. Done. Seven more to the stand. I sat. Adjusted once for the shoulder. Hands open on the railing. The sling pulled across my chest and I left it. Cole stood at the podium. "Mr. Valentine. Please sta
Judge Harmon returned at fourteen minutes. She set the folder on her bench and read without acknowledging either side. Two pages. She closed it. "The exhibit will be admitted with the following limitation. The jury is instructed that Exhibit D is to be considered only in the context of witness tes
Alicia’s POV Dr. Chen caught me in the hallway outside Lily's room. "Mrs. Valentine. Good timing." I'd been here for two. Sitting with Lily while she napped. Watching her chest rise and fall. Counting the beeps on the monitor like they were the only thing keeping me tethered to earth. Now it was
The kitchen was dark except for the light above the sink. I flipped on the overhead. The sudden brightness made me squint. Edward's empty glass sat on the counter. He must have brought it in after I went upstairs. Rinsed it. Left it in the dish rack. Like nothing had happened. Like tonight had b
"I should've done it sooner." There was something in his tone. Regret? Guilt? "A lot sooner." "Well," he said finally. "I'm calling at a terrible time then. I'm sorry." He hesitated. "I was going through some old photos earlier. Found that one from the bookshop. Remember? When you tried to convince
Lucy arrived like a storm disguised as sunlight. Late, of course—fashionably late. "I'm so sorry I'm late!" Her voice landed on the terrace, breathy and practiced. She wore a blue that photographed like grace and cost more than a week in Paris. Even the wind seemed to slow for her. "Traffic," sh







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