Chapter 71

• The line went silent for a heartbeat, and Esther could sense Charlotte struggling for words. “Of course. I just thought…”
• Esther leaned back in her chair, crossing her legs and exuding an air of calm authority. “You thought what? That maybe you still had a place in Damien's life?” she mused, allowing a steely edge to lace her voice. “This—this arrangement has so much potential for all of us. I hope you can see that."
• “I didn’t mean…” Charlotte began, but Esther cut her off.