from the sofa, his voice a thunderclap of fury. "Do you honestly

scornful smirk, his eyes nar

with venom. "Should I mimic that man who walked out on my moth

cken as Jonathan's wo

ance crumbled, leaving on

s face as if to wipe away the weight of guilt and anguish. Closing his

. Divorce is out of the question, and the thought of

l, firm and absolute. But Jonathan barely r

are my own," h

behind him. His footsteps faded, leaving a vacuum of tension in their wake. Stefan's rig

.." Stefan muttered, his hands trembling as h

e orchid, and then spoke softly, his tone measured and reassuring. "Master Jonathan is forging his own path. That's how it should be. Don't let this c

he sound held no humor, only the deep wearine

e sat at her desk, the soft scrape o

isdain, and the likelihood that tonig

agile lifeline to her p

cold air swept into the room. She froze, feeling the weight

doing here?" Jonat

controlled precision. She turned slowly, her expression composed, a mask o

ly, as though acknowledging a favor fro

erie remained composed. Her grace didn't waver; politeness

wed, even to so

ed briefly, a flicker of a

curtly, his words as cold as his gaze. "I'll

oward her, detache

m her chair, meeting hi

ce calm but resolute. "And I know you never wanted t

, her gaze steady. "I'

ing his lips into a mocking smirk. He looked her over wit

said, his tone light

Holt, you seem to have a rather inflated view of yourself. No

ed for a fleeting moment by the composure she maintained under his scrutiny. H

is it tha

berately disarming, Valerie said, "Not much. Just on