{"id":27076,"date":"2026-01-23T21:24:46","date_gmt":"2026-01-23T21:24:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/readmore.cx\/?p=27076"},"modified":"2026-01-23T21:24:46","modified_gmt":"2026-01-23T21:24:46","slug":"27076","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/readmore.cx\/?p=27076","title":{"rendered":""},"content":{"rendered":"

The invitation arrived on a Tuesday, encased in a thick, cream-colored envelope that smelled faintly of money.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Apex Global Solutions Annual Gala.<\/span><\/strong>
Venue: The Hotel Grand Meridian.<\/span><\/p>\n

Leo brought it home like a trophy hunter returning with a kill. He dropped it on the marble island of our kitchen, his eyes bright with a manic energy I hadn\u2019t seen in months.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThis is it, Mara,\u201d he said, loosening his tie. \u201cRick Salazar is announcing the new Vice President tonight. It\u2019s between me and Jenkins. But Jenkins doesn\u2019t have the numbers. I have the numbers.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

He paced the kitchen, talking about the elite investors, the board members flying in from Tokyo and London, the cameras that would be broadcasting the keynote.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m so proud of you,\u201d I said, and I meant it. Despite the distance between us, I wanted him to win. I wanted his hunger to finally be sated. \u201cThe Grand Meridian is beautiful. I haven\u2019t been there since before the accident.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Leo stopped pacing. The silence that followed was sudden and loud.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cRight,\u201d he said, turning his back to me to pour a glass of water. \u201cIt\u2019s a nice venue.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI should check my closet,\u201d I mused, rolling my chair toward the hallway. \u201cI have that black gown, but maybe it\u2019s too somber? I was thinking\u2026 maybe the red one? The one I bought last year but never wore?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Leo turned around slowly. \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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The invitation arrived on a Tuesday, encased in a thick, cream-colored envelope that smelled faintly of money. The Apex Global Solutions Annual Gala.Venue: The Hotel Grand Meridian. Leo brought it home like a trophy hunter returning with a kill. He dropped it on the marble island of our kitchen, his eyes bright with a manic…<\/p>\n

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