It cost me something, playing small like that in my own kitchen, when what I wanted was to throw the forged papers in her face and order her out of my house.

But Lawrence had been clear: do not accuse her, do not warn her off, simply ask for time.

He had understood that a cornered schemer destroys evidence and changes tactics, while a confident one keeps walking forward into the open.

So I played small, and I asked for my day, and I let her keep believing she was winning.”

Her warm expression flickered — just for an instant, her jaw tightened, and I saw underneath the sweetness a flash of the impatience of a woman who feels her prey hesitating at the trap.

Before she could push, though, her phone buzzed loudly inside her purse.