Cecile walked out of the closet wearing an expensive cashmere coat.
Aidan stepped forward and wrapped his arm around her waist. He lifted her off the floor and carried her in his arms.
Cecile let out a small gasp. She hid her face in his neck. Aidan kicked the bedroom door open and walked down the hall.
Hallie stood by the bed. A tight, invisible chain wrapped around her neck.
As Aidan walked further away, the chain pulled tight. It dragged Hallie forward. She floated behind them, unable to stop.
They took the private elevator down to the underground garage. A black Rolls-Royce Phantom was waiting. The driver opened the heavy door.
Aidan placed Cecile gently into the back seat. He climbed in next to her.
Hallie was pulled right through the metal roof. She sat on the empty seat facing them.
The car was completely quiet. Cecile leaned her head on Aidan's shoulder. Aidan took her cold hand and placed it on his thigh to warm it.
He kissed the top of her blonde hair. "I will give you the biggest future," he whispered. "No one will stand in your way."
Cecile squeezed his hand. Her eyes filled with fake tears.
The car drove out of Manhattan. It headed east toward the Hamptons.
An hour later, the massive iron gates of the Monroe Estate opened. The car drove up the long, winding driveway.
The car stopped. The head butler and a row of maids stood on the stone steps. They held large black umbrellas in the rain.
Aidan stepped out. He reached back and helped Cecile out of the car.
The butler bowed his head. He handed Cecile a warm towel. "Welcome home, Miss Cecile."
The maids bowed their heads, their faces impassive, but Hallie could see the subtle shift in their posture as they attended to Cecile-a swiftness and deference they had never shown her. They knew who the real power was.
Hallie floated above the wet grass. She remembered her first day here. The butler had handed her a list of rules and walked away. The maids had whispered about her cheap shoes. Aidan had stood by the door and watched.
Aidan held Cecile's hand and walked up the marble steps. He asked her if she was hungry. His voice was full of patience.
Cecile shook her head. "I just want to rest."
Aidan told the butler to prepare hot tea. He led Cecile up the grand staircase.
They walked down the second-floor hallway. They stopped at the large double doors on the east wing.
Hallie knew this room. It had the best sunlight. She had begged Aidan to let her use it as an art studio. He had told her she did not deserve it.
Aidan pushed the doors open. The suite was filled with fresh white roses and expensive oil paintings. It was decorated exactly to Cecile's taste.
Cecile smiled. She threw her arms around Aidan's neck. "This is my only safe place."
Aidan hugged her back. "It is yours forever."
Hallie stood in the doorway. A sick feeling twisted in her stomach. She hated herself for ever begging this man for anything.
Aidan touched Cecile's cheek. "I need to go to the study. I have to speak with my father."
Cecile nodded. She watched him walk away.
The second the door clicked shut, the soft look on Cecile's face vanished. Her eyes turned hard and calculating. She walked to the mirror and fixed her hair.
Hallie did not stay to watch. The invisible chain pulled her backward. She floated down the hall, following Aidan's footsteps.
