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Why the hell had it taken him until now to accept that? He’d pushed so many people away His stepfather His sister Worse than that, he’d forced Lisa to walk out on him

Lisa took in a deep breath, instilling herself with cal to soothe the heavy thump of her heartbeat After what Max had said to her, what had ht? Was it to see those dark eyes filled with such coldness once ain? Was it one last attempt to suffocate the love she had for him?

The black cab pulled up outside one of London’sBen chimed half past eleven Just half an hour and all this would be over The deal Her e Her love

She touched her fingers to the diaainst her skin, annoyed that Max’s driver had handed her the package and said he had instructions to take her to the party With cold anger in her veins she’d taken the package, knowing full hat it contained, and had dismissed the driver, who’d reluctantly left

At first she’d thought she wouldn’t go, that she’d return the diamonds to him by courier, but that plan had slipped fro him once more, so cold and heartless that he had insisted on their deal in such a ould finally kill that foolhardy love she had for him

She’d take off the jewellery piece by piece, a syive it back to him Then walk away

‘Are you wanting to go somewhere else?’ The driver asked as she sat in the sanctuary of his cab, reluctant to get out, reluctant to do what she knew she had to

Did she want to go somewhere else? Yes, anywhere but here ‘No, thanks’

She passed the fare through to hi her shiver, or was it what she intended to do? Walk away froe, the man she loved?

She picked up the e it just above her ankles, and stepped down froh-heeled sandals she’d bought as she’d wandered ai else that she wanted—or needed—to be at the party tonight To see Max one last time To put an end to it all

She pulled off the black coat, which hadn’t gone with the high-class dress at all, and handed it in, suddenly feeling very exposed The long dangling diahed her down even more, but very soon she would be free of theht her

She held her head high as she ascended the main staircase of the hotel and followed the sound of music until she caest New Year’s Eve parties this season was being held It was the place to see and be seen She pushed the doors gently open and stood at the top of a very grand wide staircase and looked down at the lamorous party she’d ever seen