The morning sun poured through the massive loft windows of Vance & Quinn’s new headquarters, illuminating the dust motes dancing over the drafting tables. Clara stood at the espresso machine, pulling a double shot with the precise, rhythmic movements of a woman entirely in control of her domain.

"

The morning after Clara left Serena Croft trembling in a luxury French bistro, the fallout hit the Seattle business world like a seismic tremor.

Clara was standing at her drafting table, reviewing the final topographical maps for the Sterling waterfront project, when Harper kicked open the glass d

Seven months later.

The air coming off the Puget Sound was crisp and deeply fragrant, carrying the scent of sea salt and fresh-cut cedar. Clara stood at the edge of the newly constructed plaza, one hand resting protectively over the massive, swollen curve of her belly, the other tracing the smooth