Quiet as a Knife 2

I shook my head, trying to dispel the speculation. I didn't want to jump to conclusions and sabotage myself. Yet the suspicion whirled in my mind.I ended my riverie and focused on what was at hand at the moment. If there were any legal vulnerabilities in what Timothy had done, Silverton would know about them.More importantly, Silverton would have records. He would also have evidence of exactly how Timothy had orchestrated my destruction.The bathroom door opened, and I quickly switched to a new website.“Anything happening in the world?” Anderson asked as he approached in a cloud of steam.“The usual chaos,” I replied, scrolling through the headlines I wasn’t really reading.He paused in front of the wardrobe, his hand resting on a crisp white shirt. In the mirror's reflection, I noticed him watching me, his eyes partially concealed by his eyelashes.“Elaine.”Something in his tone made me look up from the laptop screen. “Yes?” I answered as I turned to him.“You don't have to pret

Last Updated : 2025-08-05

The Good Stuff

The afternoon sun had set as we continued our leisurely walk through the vineyard. We’d been touring for over an hour now, and the initial angst had given way to something lighter.Francesca had excused herself twenty minutes ago to check the fermentation process, leaving Anderson and me to wander the paths alone. The summer air carried the sweet scent of grapes and the earthy smell of turned soil. In the distance, I watched as the workers moved methodically between the rows.“I forgot how peaceful this could be,” I murmured, trailing my fingers along a wooden post as we walked. “It’s quiet.”“I told you.”Anderson piped as he glanced at me sideways with a proud smile. “When was the last time you had quiet?”A quick bark of laughter burst from my throat, which made Anderson take a step back. My sudden burst probably caught him off guard.The question was not in any way funny or humorous in whatever sense. It was the answer I had for it. It was so pathetic.“To be very honest, the psyc

Last Updated : 2025-08-07

The Good Stuff 2

“It did actually.” I corrected. The fact tasted bitter in my mouth. “He seemed to understand the business. He had a great relationship with the board members and sometimes it seemed like I was sidelined. It didn’t seem to matter to me then because things were working out well. Neither did I know I was…” I trailed off, searching for the right words.“Used?” he suggested.The word hit close to home. “Stupid. I was stupid and grieving and desperate to prove I could handle my father’s legacy.” I kicked at a loose stone. “Turns out I couldn’t handle any of it.”“Don’t blame yourself.”“Who else can I blame, if not me?” I shot back.Anderson stopped walking and turned to face me fully. “Elaine, you were twenty-three and alone and trying to run a billion-dollar company. Cut yourself some slack.”The kindness in his voice almost undid me. I’d spent so many months blaming myself, replaying every decision, wondering how I could have been so blind.“Easy for you to say. You didn’t lose everythin

Last Updated : 2025-08-07

The Tempest in Silk

“So,” I said as we stepped into the elevator. “This surprise you mentioned. Should I be concerned about the dress code?”Anderson’s mouth curved into that familiar half-smile that used to drive me crazy when we were teenagers. “Something elegant?” he suggested. “We are going to an art exhibition.”“An art exhibition?” I cocked an eyebrow. “That’s very cultured of you.”“Hmm, I have my moments.” he paused, his expression growing more serious. “It’s hosted by an old friend. Vivienne Ashworth. We went to Oxford together,”The name rang a bell. Old Seattle money. The kind that traced its lineage back to lumber barons and railroad fortunes. “Ashworth as in Ashworth Industries?”“The very same. She is incredibly talented. This is her first major exhibition since she moved back from Paris.” There was something in his tone, a warmth that made my stomach twist unexpectedly.An old friend. Right. She is expecting to meet you,” he added, watching my face carefully.Oh, she knows about me alread

Last Updated : 2025-08-09

The Tempest in Silk 2

Anderson’s hand searched for mine behind and I caught on to it. We walked through the gallery, listening to Vivienne explain her artistic process with passion and expertise. She was clearly talented, successful, and everything a woman in our social circle was supposed to be. And the way she looked at Anderson…Stop it! I told myself firmly. You have no right to jealousy.Gosh, it was like my entire being had succumbed to an inferiority complex and I unconsciously compare myself to anyone I feel threatened by. I hated being like this.We paused in front of a large canvas dominated by swirling blues and grays, with flashes of gold that shone in the light.“It’s called ‘Tempest,’” Vivienne explained. “I painted it during a storm in Provence last summer. The light was extraordinary.”“You were in Provence?” I asked, more to insert myself into the conversation than from genuine curiosity.“Yes, I was. For three months. I had a residency there.” She then turned to Anderson. “You should hav