was heavier t

with a silver crest she didn't recognize-but somehow already hated. The room smelled faintly of

two lawyers. Beside

was no

thly, sliding the folder closer to Regina. "Though the

rov

sed*. Not *

rov

of legal language stared back at her-clauses, conditions, obligati

blic re

scand

rior to official

ublic appearance

sion b

ct," she said quietl

ly. "In families like yours, Mis

egina's wrist. The touch was light, almos

she said softly. "

her. "Have I ever?" she ask

dn't

s answe

-

e loomed larger th

took in the towering iron bars, the perfectly trimmed hedges, the guard

e had already b

t there t

t

c, her mother had said

whispered as they walked the stone pat

ouse was quie

elt cold despite the warm lighting. Regina's foo

ind of man lived in

one

ne di

care that she had bee

Indifference would hu

f member said finally. "Mr

t realizing she'd bee

upi

rd lin

-

Regina cou

g, the contract's words replaying endles

she was slowly

hone

ge from

ash

t smoothly today. I kne

t the screen, h

egi

er consider

came almos

ash

your strength, Regina.

closed

was

irmation that

-

he walls felt like

notes made no sense. Even the libra

Harris approac

" he said gently, sit

egina replied

ent. "You always say tha

laughed. Al

air," she said s

. "Come out tonight. Just f

a hes

voice echoe

dal. No

ng inside h

ink," s

-

It was nothing like the places her family frequented. No

of place-and s

e and sat alone, watching the crowd. For

she f

res

look

sleeves rolled up, his posture relaxed in a way that fe

re watc

ismis

osses

ent

s breat

e would have remembered that-but the weight of his gaze

eyes

orld seem

't know

t know wh

e thing with ter

about to chan