Vladimir made love to her that afternoon, and then told her they were going out to dinner at eight o'clock.  He didn't tell her where and said it was a surprise.  She put on a new dress that he had bought her at Dior in January -- and she hadn't worn it yet since it had arrived only a few weeks before.  She looked exquisite as she stepped into the tender, and he smiled at her and told her she had never looked more beautiful and he loved the dress.

He got out of the tender first and stood watching her as they handed her out of the boat, and she put on her shoes on the quai.  The Rolls was waiting for them, and as they walked toward it, he stopped and looked down at her with an expression she'd never seen before.  His eyes were like ice, but his face was a mask of regret.

"It's over, Natasha.  I know what you saw.  I don't know if you told that woman, but I can't take the chance.  I'm not going to prison for you, or anyone.  He should have sold me the painting -- it would have been simpler for everyone.  But I can't trust you anymore.  I have the feeling that you said something, but it's just a guess.  I'll never know for sure.  You have a month in the apartment in Paris.  I'll send your clothes from the boat there."  She was staring at him in disbelief as he said it.  It was over, just like that, after eight years, without a look back.  "You can have all your clothes and jewelry.  You'll get a good price for them if you sell them.  And you can have whatever is in your bank account.  Be out of the apartment by the end of July.  I'm going to sell it.  You're a beautiful girl, Natasha.  You'll be fine."  And then he added softly, "I'm going to miss you.  The plane is waiting for you at the airport."  And with that he walked back to the tender with his head down, as she stood watching him go.  She wanted to run after him, to stop him, and tell him she loved him, but she didn't know if she did anymore.  She couldn't respect him after what he'd done.

He had saved her before, and now he had thrown her away, to survive on her own.  Without even knowing for certain if she'd betrayed him, he was severing all ties with her to protect himself.  He was taking no risks.  She wasn't worth it to him.  She watched the tender pull away from the dock and go back to the boat with him on it.  He never looked back at her.  And she didn't make a sound.  She got into the Rolls with tears running down her cheeks and sat staring out the window as they drove to the airport.  She was alone in the world, with no one to protect her or take care of her, for the first time in years, and as terrifying as it was, she knew he was right.  She would be fine.