vous energy radiating from him, his face a mixture of anticipation and anxiety. Eleanor sat

oor to the inn

hed and professional as her uniform. Chloe follo

Carlisle," she reported in a flat, clinical

t Chloe, as if he'd heard a foreign language. "Impo

se, a silent, deadly warning. He

, his expression shifting comically fast

rt a block of ice. She knew exactly what he was

aze turning possessive. He was convinced she had done this out of desperate love for him, a move to win

he tension. But her eyes, when they rested on Chloe, had changed. There was a new layer of sus

er of the Carlisle family, you disappeared for three days without

will spend the night in the wine cellar, reflecti

Eleanor knew about Chloe's severe nyct

se interjected, his brow furrowed in a pe

s not your place." She was punishing Chloe, but sh

d her eyes. "Yes, mother." Her quiet obedience was a

the basement stairs. As she passed Chase, she could feel his

hat smelled of earth and old wine. A maid gave her a small push inside, and the door

bsolute

er breath catching in her throat. The phobia was a

herself to breathe. She pictured Julian's cold eyes, replayed their clinical transaction, a

out of a terrified stupor when sh

tood there, his voice uncharacteristically flustered. "Miss Chloe, Mrs

oe stumbled back into th

rce embrace. The girl had platinum blonde hair and wore a Chan

Carl

s like a ghost at a feast. Kayla stood in the center of the light,

emotion, a sound Chloe had never heard di

She gently pulled away from Elean

"This is Chloe. The adopted daughter

to Chloe and took her hand. "Sister, you look unwell. Mother, please don'

brown eyes and felt a wave of nausea. This was

h a good child. Very well. Let her go back to her room. But

changed locations. From

pression was replaced by a triumphant, malicious smile. Then she

ntaneous welcome party, of laughter and celebration

en below, surrounded by admirers. And in the cold,

Carl