past the blinds, tracing faint, sh

e spotted Nicole curled up in sleep, small

t quite name, he crossed the

izable-her fierce spark gone, leaving behind a

ery object sat perfectly in place, untouched,

tness gripped his throat as he forced down a breath, the dim

uietly retreating, deciding not to br

allway, already composed, every trace of diso

the corner, she

op buttons left open, he stood t

crease out of place. He radiated that signature, untouchable calm-

d suspect he was wrestling with

steady. "I need to visit Wi

ming with you." His tone left no room for prot

rily stunned by his initiative. In the end, she was just

. "Really, it's fine. I can handle it myse

you've got a complaint, take it up with her," h

it. "Let's not turn this into a whole thing," she replied, her voice deliber

silence, neither of them reaching for c

nterest, head leaning back against the leather headrest. He closed his

, familiar circles along the polished surface of

catching the sunlight with a brilliance t

ensity. It dredged up memories she'd buried for years-a ring just like this, impossib

day, she'd sent her assistant to collect it, expecting a quiet reunion. Instead, the news blindsided her: Cathy h

and tightened, knuckles pale. No matter what

up the long drive to the Wilson estate, t

car together, their silent r

e steps, startled into stillness. His eyes darted from Nicole to the t

d, clearing his throat. "I'll l

er tone breezy and dismissive. "No

imply nodded, off

ed bouquet to suggest a wedding was on anyone's mind. Every corner radiated cold ind

th every stride. The stark pallor of his face, coupled with those frosted ey

Aidan with open curiosity. A current of whispers rippled between them, eyes wid

front garden's manicured paths and i

t through the silence. "Finally, that headache's ou

ough," interjected Marissa, her words d

? I told you-treat her like she's already gone.

y thing that matters is making sure the Moore family neve

ced through the tension. "What kind of past could be so d

usion. She turned around, only to

l, sharply handsome figure radiating cold composure, she felt complet

e, voice trembling with fury. "You shameless brat! Sneaking out with your lover and par

from Nicole. Cathy, clueless as ever

ment as she muttered to herself, "

him from head to toe-tall, impeccably put together, with the ki

e commanded the space, towering over six feet, and the sharp, scu

est tightening. Every inch of

ith fake concern. "Nicole, now that you're married, you can't keep ac

b for what it was-an accusation dressed up as advice. Marissa's words l

o Aidan, reading nothing from his impassive feature

e me has turned into a disgrace? Weren't all of you the ones who arranged this marriage? O

, her polished composure splintered-l