LOGIN“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 He still thinks he came here for the meeting. The room absorbed it. Nobody spoke. Alicia studied the table. Volkov’s attention stayed on her, patient, certain of the space he occupied. I picked up my water glass. Drank. Set it down. He leaned forward. "What I bring isn't only cap
"Two weeks," he said. "Who handled it?" "Me." He looked at me steadily. "You built a structure to reduce dependence on any single person. And the first time it was tested." "I was there and it needed handling." "You're always there." His eyes moved to Edward and back. "That’s what I’m trying to
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
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







