*A clone*

While the buying and biding went on with the highest bidder at $625,000, Valentina shook her head and set her empty champagne glass down on a passing waiter’s tray and excused herself from the small circle of women who had been making conversation with her, and Lucas as she needed a moment away from the crowd, away from the exhausting small talk and fake smiles to ease herself.

The bathroom was as luxurious as the rest of the venue, with marble countertops, gold fixtures, and the ...