lway. She forced her breathing to slow down. "Julian

losing on the other end of the line. Julian's voice was terrifyingly

led together in confusion. "Retal

ely dismissive. "That is a biological fact, it doesn't mean I tolerate h

beat. A wild, insane thought flashed through her b

er voice shook. She was terri

rried today anyway, you might as well just change the groom. Become his sister-in-law. From now on, every

match directly into the pool of anger sitting in Eleanor's chest. The mental image

a flashed behind her eyelids. She opened her eyes, an

heels hitting the concrete fast and hard. The cold wind hit

told the driver to get back to Ci

Eleanor pushed the door open. The first thing she saw was a mass

as wearing a pure black bespoke suit. He was tall, broad-shouldered, and h

her face. He noticed her messy hair and the slight red

thumb brushed against the corner of her eye, wiping away

cheek. Eleanor flinched and in

ut and wrapped around her

n said. He looked down at her. His voice was low,

ed her jaw. She reached into her purse and pulle

kept his hand on her waist and turned her toward the building.

t in any lines. They were escorted direct

ire standing in her office. Her hands shook as she quickly

ood was printed in bold black ink. Her fingers trem

e for a single second. He signed his name with sharp, aggr

he nib to the paper. The memory of her three years of suffering flashed thr

hud of the seal echoed in the small room

, Eleanor felt like she was floating. Her

tant, Leo, who was standing quietly in the c

g look was gone. It was replaced by someth

nally emphasizing the title. His vo

t her forehead. It was a restrained kiss, but it claimed absolute ownership. Eleanor froze