2

Her ankle dislocated, Elena limped out of the dockyard one painful step at a time.

It was early morning by the time she made it back to the apartment.

Julian was at the kitchen island, frying eggs.

Chloe cradled a mug of warm milk and gazed at him, her face glowing with happiness.

"Julian, your eggs are too runny. I want mine cooked all the way through."

"So picky." Julian chuckled. "You're still recovering from your asthma attack. Go easy on cold drinks."

How cozy.

The sound of the door opening shattered the cozy scene.

Julian took in her torn clothes, tangled hair, and the scratches all over her feet.

"So, had your fun? Took you three days to come crawling back."

He tossed the spatula onto the counter, his face twisting with disgust.

"Dressed like that, what sob story are you trying to sell me this time?

"You want everyone to think I abuse you?"

Right on cue, Chloe stood up with a wounded look.

"Elena, I know you're upset, but you can't just disappear for three days to make a point. The company's at a critical stage..."

They made quite the team.

In the past, whenever Chloe put on that innocent face, Elena lost it.

She'd lose control, smashing plates and screaming at Julian for being so blind. She'd cry herself hoarse, accusing them of stripping away what little dignity she had left.

Julian would just watch her like she'd lost her mind, then walk away without a word.

But today, Elena just stood there, her eyes empty.

No tears. No anger.

"I'm not making a point, and I'm not putting on a show. I'm just here to get what's mine."

Her strange calm stung Julian. It unsettled him.

He pulled out his checkbook, wrote out a check, and flung it at her feet.

"Two million for disappearing for three days. Happy now? And wipe that dead look off your face."

The check fluttered down to her feet.

A flash of resentment crossed Chloe's face.

Julian folded his arms and watched Elena with his usual arrogance.

He was waiting for her to do what she always did: tear the check to shreds, burst into tears, and demand to know if he thought their love was some kind of transaction.

But Elena simply bent down, her face blank. The movement exposed the raw rope burn on her neck.

She picked up the check from the floor.

Right there in front of Julian and Chloe, she put it away.

Julian froze.

"Elena... what are you doing?"

Elena looked up. At last, a smile touched her pale face.

"Julian, you're right.

"I used to be so stupid. I thought love was worth more than cold, hard cash.

"I'll take the two million.

"But it's not enough."

Julian frowned. "Not enough? Two million isn't enough to buy a handbag?"

"Sign the beach condo over to me. Give me the yellow diamond necklace you bought at auction last year, too."

Julian thought he'd heard wrong.

The condo was worth four million. The necklace, three and a half million.

Elena had always hated how damp the beach condo was, and she'd always thought the yellow diamond was too flashy. She'd never even touched it.

"Elena, have you lost your mind?"

Chloe's eyes immediately filled with tears.

"Elena, Julian promised I could borrow that yellow diamond necklace for the charity gala next week..."

Elena didn't even glance at Chloe. She kept her eyes on Julian.

"Yes or no?"

Julian started to panic.

Elena's eyes used to light up whenever she looked at him. Even when she was angry, there was fire in them.

Now there was nothing.

He hid his unease.

"Good. You've finally learned to solve your problems with money."

He had his secretary draw up the transfer papers right away, then took the yellow diamond necklace out of the safe and tossed it on the table.

"You've got what you wanted. Now go back to playing your part as Mrs. Vaughn. I'm taking Chloe to her follow-up appointment tonight."

Julian watched Elena closely, waiting for jealousy, for resentment, for anything.

Elena just took the jewelry box and the paperwork and nodded.

"Okay. I hope everything goes well for you two."

Julian watched her walk away, her slender frame looking frail.

He could have sworn he smelled blood.

"Elena, what's that smell? Are you hurt?"

"No." Elena kept her back to him. "I haven't showered in three days. I smell like the cheap motel I stayed at."