Sara lowered her head and sniffed. The scent of Eva still clung to her clothes.
A bitter laugh threatened to escape. In the past, he never noticed the details of her life. Now he noticed—because the scent belonged to *her*.
She handed over the watch. "Ms. James came to return something."
Adrian glanced at it but didn't take it. No guilt crossed his features. No panic at being caught in a lie.
"Mr. Harding isn't going to say anything?" Sara half-joked, testing the waters. "You tricked me quite thoroughly. Luckily I'm quick on my feet, or the family at the old residence would have been suspicious."
His lips twitched, devoid of warmth. "If you didn't have that much ability, you wouldn't be 'Mrs. Harding.'"
"You really have no conscience." She smiled to cover the sting.
He truly didn't care about her feelings.
Adrian's gaze sharpened. His voice dropped to a command. "Stay away from her."
"What are you worried about?" Sara asked, genuinely confused. "Afraid I'll be bullied? Or afraid I'll bully her?"
The words hung in the air.
Adrian's gaze turned to ice.
Just when Sara thought he might offer a sliver of comfort, he proved once again that hope was a dangerous thing.