Kirsten’s words dropped into Danielle’s calm heart like a stone into a still lake, sending ripples through her composure.
Danielle lowered her gaze, staring into her glass of red wine. Absentmindedly, her fingers traced the rim as silence settled between them.
Unbidden, a memory surfaced—the last dinner she’d shared with Harold and Nathan.
That night, she’d felt lightheaded after just a few glasses of wine. The weakness in her limbs, the way things blurred… And afterwards, everything that had happened with Alexander.
She’d chalked it up to chance, a reckless mistake, but now, looking back, it all seemed too convenient. Harold and Nathan were business partners—what if that “accident” had been orchestrated by the two of them?
If it hadn’t been Alexander that night, maybe it would have been Nathan.
Harold always appeared the picture of sophistication, gentle and refined, but everyone knew how ruthless he could be in the boardroom. If there was profit to be made, would he really hesitate?
Danielle closed her eyes, pushing back a shiver that threatened to rise. She shook her head, voice barely above a whisper. “What’s the point in thinking about it?”
Kirsten, seeing the turmoil in Danielle’s expression, pressed her lips together and reached out, giving Danielle’s shoulder a reassuring squeeze. Her voice was firm. “You’re right. We don’t need to count on any man to light up our lives. We’ll shine all on our own.”
“You’re about to start fresh with Niki in a new place. None of this drama is worth dragging along.”
Danielle looked up at Kirsten, warmth flickering in her eyes. She was about to reply when Gian strode over, urgency written across his face, a folder in his hand.
“Danielle, Professor Hawthorne just told me—you’re leaving Northridge City next week?”
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