She was herself first and foremost; everything else was merely icing on the cake.
She couldn''t fault the girl she''d once been, lost and fumbling in the fog-everyone has their ws. All she felt now was gratitude that she''d chosen to change, to be the woman she was today.
And she liked who she was now.
Sylvie understood perfectly the unyielding look on Elodie''s face, and she knew exactly why-after all, she''d been part of it, too.
But still...
"Elodie, you''re taking it out on me. Can''t we keep things separate?" Sylvie''s breath was unsteady, hoping Elodie would treat the past like some ancient grudge, best left behind.
Elodie''s eyes were cold as winter steel as she looked at her. "Am I not keeping things separate? For what you did at thepetition, you belong in jail. Congrattions, Ms. Fielding."
She didn''t spare a nce for Sylvie''s face, which had gone stark white in the blink
of an eye.
Turning on her heel, Elodie walked away.
Real fear gripped Sylvie now. On instinct, she reached out, desperate to catch Elodie''s hand.
But Elodie didn''t let her get close; before Sylvie could touch her, Elodie yanked her arm away with a sharp, forceful motion.
Sylvie lost her bnce, stumbling gracelessly and nearly falling.
Elodie looked down at her from above, icy and detached. "You want my
forgiveness? You''re not even close to deserving it."
A roaring filled Sylvie''s ears as everyone around turned to stare.
Scornful, mocking, contemptuous.
It had never been like this before.
The humiliation was enough to drive her mad; her eyes rimmed red with fury as she red at Elodie''s retreating back.
As Elodie stepped out of the lobby, she nearly collided with Patricia, who had just gotten out of her car.
Patricia waved with a sunny smile. “Heading out, are we?"
Elodie slowed her stride, ncing over. "Miss Aldridge, what brings you here?"
Patricia nodded toward the street nearby. "I was just out for a walk and figured I''d stop by. Wanted to see if you''d like to join me for dinner-my friends are all curious about you. You''ve got quite a few fans, you know, after those impressive results."
Elodie gave her a polite, guarded smile. "I doubt I''ll have time anytime soon- things have gotten unexpectedly busy."
It was a gentle but clear refusal.
Patricia didn''t seem bothered. "I get it, no worries. Let me know when things settle down."
Just then, Elodie''s phone started ringing.
She nced at the screen before looking up at Patricia and gesturing at her phone. "Sorry, I have to take this."
"Of course, go ahead," Patricia said with another easy wave.
Without another word, Elodie walked past her and headed for her car.
As Elodie drove away, Patricia
Cher arms and watched the
Range Rover disappear down the street, her expression thoughtful.
When Sylvie emerged from the VistaLink Technologies lobby, pale as a ghost, she
hadn''t expected to run into Patricia either.
That sixth sense all women have-wariness, caution-red up instantly.
Deep down, Sylvie didn''t want to get on Patricia''s bad side.
She definitely didn''t want anyone to see her looking this wretched and humiliated.
Without a word, she turned to leave.
Patricia''s voice drifted over, light but firm. "Hold on."
Sylvie clenched her fists, her face
drained
down on her until she couldressing fall color, despair presset
muster any defense.
Slowly, she turned back.
Patricia looked her up and down, then offered a wry smile. "I''ve got nothing else to do-want a lift somewhere?"
Sylvie''s eyes were bloodshot as she
stared at her. Of course she knew Patricia had yed a part in getting her here, but even knowing that, there was nothing she could do about it.
As soon as Sylvie parted ways with Patricia, her phone rang-it was Selma.
Selma''s voice was shrill with panic. "Thewyer Jarrod got for me he just refused to represent me in court!"