The Auction

Chapter 35: The Auction

Diane leaned against the windowpane, gazing down at the wilting roses in the garden below. 

The red petals were now dark and ugly, weighed down by the frost. 

She knew she should have moved out of this house... 

"Why…?"

Her fingers absently brushed the glass as her mind wandered back to Gabriel's parting words.

"I don't hate you enough to enjoy your suffering, but I certainly don't love you to care about your happiness."

The ache in her chest tightened, but she shook her head and forced herself to turn away from the window. 

The only way out of this nightmare was forward, no matter how suffocating and annoying this path seemed.

The next day, the grand auction started.

The wealthy elite of the city had gathered for the charity event.

Diane sat in a quieter corner, clutching her fingers to a glass of champagne she had no intention of drinking.