lia

t into the comforting scent of eucalyptus at my flower shop. I wanted the quiet rhythm of my ordinary life and the safety of m

the estate tonight," Peter said, his ton

signed a temporary agreement. That doesn't include pa

simply dialed his phone

it. "Garric

lionaire was gone, replaced by a tight, coiled urgency. "The family has gathered. They are waitin

request. For the first time

"Fine. But I'm d

at me in the mirror. The tailored emerald silk gown whispered of old money, but beneath the flawles

the heavy oak doors swung open, the low murmuring in the grand fo

edatory grace, his large, warm hand settling firmly on the

through the sudden silence, absolute

Within minutes, a woman wit

h elegant disdain. "Which prominent family do you belong to? Or

rby, laughed softly.

ly that works hard for what they have, Matilda. I haven't ch

se it takes a certain kind of desperation for so

, but Garrick stepped forward.

, freezing the room. "You will speak to my wife with

s family. My breath hitched. He was still the cold, untouchable Garrick Sincl

sealing us off from the lingering whispers downstairs. The room was a sprawli

ight," he said, pouring a glass of amber liquid at a side tab

oor, gripping my clutch. "

laced by the imposing force of a man used to absolute obedience. "It's past midnight, Cecelia. My rel

can't bully me," I fired back. "I played the part. But our a

e sheer size of him was overwhelming. "It's not a prison. I

e has been upended. I need to go back to my house. I need to tell my mom I'm back fr

t logical for you to shuttle back and forth to tha

tonight, and I am grateful for that. But I told you-I am doing this my way. I

t, a battle of wills. I braced myself for him to demand compliance. Instead, his gaze dr

is phone. "But you are not taking a cab. Peter will dr

didn't realize I was

thered house. A wave of relief washed over me. I turned the key q

dark. Too da

out softly, kick

le

or was ajar. I pushed it open, expecting to see

y chest. "Mom?" I called louder

he kitchen and fr

y shattered near the counter, a pool of white milk spreading across the tiles.

oo

oming in jagged gasps as my eyes traced the red smears. They trailed i