Chapter 155

No.1

Allena let out a faint, wounded whimper from the chaise lounge. Her body went limp, and she slid sideways, slumping onto the plush carpet in a theatrical faint.

"Allena!" August's anger instantly morphed into raw panic. He released Elisa, shoving her aside as he lunged toward Allena's side.

Elisa had just picked up a fresh cup of black coffee from the credenza, the ceramic mug hot in her hands. She was standing directly in his path.

August didn't see her. He plowed into her like a freight train, his shoulder slamming into her chest.

The mug flew from her grasp. A wave of scalding hot coffee cascaded down her neck and chest,soaking through the thin silk of her blouse.

No.2

A sharp, searing pain shot through her skin. She let out a choked gasp, stumbling backward.

August didn't even notice. He didn't look back.

He was already on his knees beside Allena, gathering her into his arms, his voice frantc. "Allena? Allena,wake up!"

Elisa stood there, the burning on her skin a dull counterpoint to the icy void opening in her chest.She watched him cradle the other woman, his face a mask of terror and devotion.②

She walked calmly to the desk, pulled a handful of tissues from a box, and began to blot at the angry red skin on her neck.

No.3

"Somebody get a doctor!" August roared at the open door.

Aides and assistants rushed in, their faces a mixture of alarm and confusion. The office descended into chaos.

Elisa moved to the window, turning her back on the scene.She took out her phone and dialed Jewel.

"Jewel," she said, her voice low and steady, "I need you to run a final check on Tate Mills's school transfer. I have a bad feeling. Confirm for me that his name has been formally withdrawn from the registry."

Jewel's voice was hesitant. "Elisa, I messed up. I'm so sorry. I saw the initial withdrawal submission confirmation and I relaxed. I should have kept checking. I just ran it again after you called, and the withdrawal request was canceled three days ago.Tate is still enrolled. God, I should have been watching it like a hawk. I'm so sorry."

No.4

The floor seemed to drop out from under Elisa.

He had promised her. In that school hallway, he had looked her in the eye and promised to handle it. And then he had turned around and broken that promise,undoubtedly to appease Allena.

It meant Kayden-her brilliant, precious daughter-would be in the same school, possibly the same classroom, as that cruel, violent little boy.

Kayden was in danger.

The fear that shot through her was a thousand times more painful than the burn on her skin. It was a cold,primal terror that eclipsed everything else.

No.5

Paramedics arrived, loading Allena onto a gurney.August hovered over them, his face pale, never leaving her side.

As they wheeled the gurney past Elisa, August stopped. He turned, and the look he gave her was pure hatred.

"If anything happens to her," he bit out, his voice shaking with rage, "I will never forgive you."

He blamed her. He blamed her for Allena's collapse.

Then he was gone, following the gurney out the door.The office was suddenly, blessedly quiet.

No.6

Tessa Vaughn rushed in, her eyes wide. She saw the huge, red, blistering patch on Elisa's chest. "Faye!My God, you're burned! Let me take you to the emergency room!"

Elisa shook her head. Her eyes were calm. Too calm.

"Tessa," she said, her voice perfectly level. "Cancel my afternoon. And get me a meeting with Aethel's top litigator. The one who specializes in custody and restraining orders."

Tessa just stared at her, confused.

"I'm filing for an emergency protective order," Elisa said, each word a chip of ice. "To prohibit Tate Mills

No.7

from coming within one hundred yards of my daughter. Under any circumstances."

This was no longer about business. It was no longer about a broken marriage.

This was war. And she had just drawn a line in the sand around her child.③