A DEAL WITH AN OLD FRIEND

Edmund frowned, his eyes narrowing into slits. He'd always known that Charlotte was a bloody opportunist but not even in his wildest imagination had he figured that she would ever go this far.

From the moment she made her request known, he'd lost his voice. And like a pack of cards scattered over the table, all his hopes had crashed. All he felt now was anger. Deep, intense anger.

"What?!" He glared at her. "Are you insane? You and I are over, Charlotte. Why don't you get used to that?"

Charlotte rolled her eyes.

"Is that your final answer? Because if that is what it is, then it's fine. I'll just turn around and head back into the party to tell your parents the truth."

She turned to walk away but Edmund stopped her. He grabbed her by the arm, his nails almost digging into his soft, delicate skin.

"Wait a minute, Charlotte," he said, heaving an exasperated breath. "This doesn't have to go this way. We can come to some sort of compromise. I can pay you to buy your silence. Just name yo