ll end up in his hands. Men like him never miss an opportunity-and if they have to step over someone to get what they want, they won't hesitate for a second. Just picturing his smug

me and sent someone else to

ongtime friend of our family,

ey didn't. Enough. Decision made. As soon as my father returns, I'll endure a couple of unforgettable days under the same roof an

inside the car-which is exactly what I did. Mom didn't appear until more than half the guests had alread

ing. She was glowing brighter than the gold wrap

about," she replied lightly, th

downtown? Nina's already wai

ember-you need to b

five minutes?" I smiled. "Just tell me one

ut I didn't dwell on it. If Aunt Amina wa

lling the scarf off my head.

blonde hair fell freely over my

ful," my mother said une

eye color from my father, but my soft, delicate features came from her. Looking at her now-s

lunging me straight into nostalgia. As I watched the car disappear down the street, I lifted my gaze to the sky. Heavy clouds

otted me, she jumped up and rushed toward me with her arms wide open. Our shrieks could only have been ignored by someone comple

to the table she'd been sitting at. "You've

e," I replied, settling int

e, but seeing each other in person after sev

glasses anymore," Nina said

cake and a cup of tea, then turn

photoshoot and accidentally fell into the water. Lost my contacts. Sin

amed. "That was you in the latest

made a living, but for some reason it fel

arefully, then lowered her gaze to the plate the waiter had just place

d. "But if my manager doesn

such intensity that it made me uneasy. I remembered that look from childhood

manager be against you part

n, I rolled my eyes, sighed dramatic

a break from al

t refusing felt nearly impossible. Whether Valen would approve was a

id carefully. "But I'm warning

nd things. Your face won't even be visi

nge

r new lingerie line-for both men and women. So I

I didn't have the heart to interrup

. Does that mean I

ight male model yet. I still ha

't you at Darvin's funeral? Are things

rew. I didn't know exactly what had sparked the feud between their families, but it had

ll in love with Vlad," I

l anyone else-but not me. I knew she still loved him. It was written all

ly, focusing on the d

ely. I finished my tea and said goodbye-Nina had clearly sunk into a darker mood. Somethi

her had turned ugly fast, and all I wanted now was to take a hot bath and curl up in bed with my