lynn

ned to choke me. "Alden," I said, my voice calm, almost

d back into place. "Of course, my love. But it' s a long night of dull spee

unwavering. "I feel like I need to be there.

, his tone a little stiff. "But stay by my side, Katelynn. It' s

wanted me tucked away, out of sight. But I had to be there. One last time.

chandeliers sparkled overhead, reflecting off the polished marble floors. Alden, as always, was at the c

s father, the patriarch of the Stone empire, praised her vision, her intellect, her groundbreaking work. "Gabriella Butler' s revolutionary cance

tment formula. Revolutionary.

hopeful breakthroughs, the crushing failures, the long hours. This was my life' s work, my silent dedication. No one knew about it. Only Alden ha

grams and a stylized image of the formula. It was identica

red a demure smile, a hand placed protectively over her stomach.

an intensity he' d never once shown me. He was beaming, a prideful, pos

f well-wishers. "Isn' t she magnificent, Katelynn?" he said, his voice br

ionary?" My voice was a choked whisper. "Alden,

he hissed, pulling me to a quieter corner. "Are you out of your mind? Jealousy is

ic on my tongue. "Is that what this i

c alliance depends on her well-being. If you breathe a word of this, if you try to expose her and ruin everything

g that was truly mine. He was willing to destroy it. For her. He was the one who' d given her acc

ove had blinded me to the monster I was sleeping next to. My mentor, Dr. Evans, who should have been here,

let on her wrist. The diamonds glinted under the lights. It was the same design as a sketch I' d once shown Alden, a design I' d intended for

ing anything. No pleading, no reasoning, no appeal to his conscience. It was all g

I wouldn't fight on his terms. He stole my work, but he couldn't steal my mind. I had kept original, dat

nd I would make sure he lost everything, just as I had lost every

my face. "You' re right," I said, my voice flat. "I'

That' s my sensible Katelynn. Come, let' s go congra

ed Gabriella, whispering praises into her ear, I watched them, a strange, terrifying calm settlin