Y'S

before I was abruptly halted. The sudden loss of momentum left me reeling, like a door slammed shut in my face. This was my house. I shou

The rough edges of the doorframe scraped against my arms, but I didn't flinch. I barely felt it. I could o

apers on the day of my release. As if that wasn't enough, the invitation to his wed

stinct, desperate to see his face and hear some explanation. He'd promised he'd wait for me. And yes, maybe tha

. That familiar scent of his cologne swept into the room before he did, polished

e him standing there, dressed in a suit, as pristine and well-kept as ever. There was a thin s

I forced out the words.

shut the door behind him. "Oh, please. D

d you'd be here today, waiting, like you said. And you repay me with this?" My voice shook, but I c

nor inconvenience. "She's better suited for the life I

ck of care, twisted something ugly inside me. I took a step

in his eyes, something cold and unforgiving. "Honestly, Avery, did you think a woman with a crim

refused to cry. Not here. Not in front of him. "You have no idea

word dripping with scorn. "There was never an

ouldn't stop myself. "You're lying. We had something. You

ry, like he'd found the one part of me he hadn't destroyed yet

n't let go, pulling me closer until I was forced to look into his face, inches from mine. His voic

was too strong. The smirk on his face, the way he looked at me-it was like every shred

ced to endure his touch, his brutal reminder of what he thought I was. When he finally let g

wn at me. "Enjoy your new life, Avery. I hear your new husband doesn't take kin

ry breath, but I kept my head high, forcing myself to look at him as he

the front door. His words rang in my ears, condescending and disg

down the hallway, like a bad dream I'd never wake from. I told myself to hold

**

ss settling over me. The SUV's engine hummed beneath me, rhythmic and distant, like a lullaby pulling me into sl

He was quiet, his gaze forward, but even through my hazy sight, I sensed the intensity of his presence. Hi

tay alert, but before I could register any more d

ctedly gentle. "Mrs. Blackwood." The voice was low, controlled, l

y focus, I looked up, expecting to see the mysterious figure from my haze. But instead, I found Ryan standing over me, h

d, stepping back to giv

reminding me of everything that had happened,

l's voice, impatient and unfiltered,

er hair," the little girl muttered,

bout the same time I moved my gaze to see it was. My heart skipped a beat. That was when I saw him - a man so divine

ds gently placed on the little girl's left shoulder

ing stranger, exuding power and sophistication? His gaz

ips. His eyes sparkled with amusement, a

on shifted. His eyes narrowed, his jaw c