72_MANIPULATIONS

Jennifer

The amber light of dawn streamed through my penthouse windows, casting long golden bars across the polished oak floors. My assistant had left an arrangement of fresh lilies by the balcony, their perfume heady in the still morning air. I stared out at New York' s waking skyline from the living room, cradling a cup of dark roast coffee in my manicured hands.

I should have felt satisfied. My latest collection had sold out within hours, my name was on every billboard, ...