INA

ance between Jared and myself. His face was flushed with impo

liberately, my voice low and cold. "You were so brave in

ed toward us. Karri. She latched onto Jared's arm immediately, her voice dri

she smoothed her features into an expression of wounded innocence

fe. "Just discussing how to ruin me on my own marriage bed? Just plotting how

Karri's face. Her grip

silence. "What are you talking

ancé. Don't worry-soon you won't have to deal with me at all. But her?" I nodded toward Karri with a sharp, humorless smile. "She'll be you

hen red. She opened her mo

Snyder swept toward us, flanked by several of her ladies-in-waiting. Her expensiv

ith Jared. But let's be sensible-men have their moments. A few companions on the side, a little fun before the wedding-it's hardly a

s. The clas

e a good girl and

d. How many times had I heard versions of this speech? From my father. From his advisors. From ever

ye

itten for me. Six years of pretending that if I was just good enough,

d with his guilty panic, Karri with her smug desp

other

, my voice flat and cold, "but I'm not interested in b

ed open defiance. "Celina Garner! Watch your place

und that made her flinch. "I think you're a

r arm like a child tugging at his mother's sleeve. "Mom, look at her!

het

rom threatening to hit me to hiding behind h

nderstand you're upset. These are big emotions, I know. But let's not make any rash decisions." She extended a hand, palm up, in a gesture of false magnanim

negotiate. I don't want your money. I don't want

them. Their stunned faces were a picture I wante

ree shallow steps. Into the spotlight. Ev

na

neer's hands. He blinked, but I was already moving past him, standing at th

t. The silence too comple

ight of six years lif

m somewhere in the crowd. Jared. He

k back. I di

he small "lipstick" Ferne had given me. M

t, F

ight blinked. Th

gentlemen, thank you for your patience. Before we close the evening, I have an announcement to make.

hind me flick

was already collapsing behind me, and I