e large living room, surrounded by the inquisitive looks of her parents, she felt the pressure building. Her mother, still impeccab

u thought about our proposal, or sh

s is not a proposal. It is a condemnation. You are

. You have never been a priority in this family. If we give you this

a clenched her fists. "Why not marry Leonie to

g to family standards. "Leonie is already promised to someone much more important. We don't

ng her father with a look. "Or what? Will you throw me out? Di

simple? If you refuse, Lyana , you condemn more than

elle, a gentle and loving woman, had been financially dependent on the Solhart family s

whispered, but she read in

no other choice. Do what is expected of you, and everything will be fine. Draven i

down. She now understood that she was

-

room shone brightly, adorned with sparkling chandeliers and elegant decorations. The hand-picked

table, a glass of champagne in her hand. She felt foreign to this world, lost in the

rk. Her tight red dress was the center of atten

y to become Madam Blackthorn ? » she

respond sharply. "I don't

least try not to embarrass the family toni

er sister grew with each word. Léonie walked away, leavi

ont of the guests, described her as a "brave and promising" young woman, while her mothe

the looks weighing on her, some full of p

's really lucky, this little Solhart . Who would have

d a bright red, whispering in her companion's ear. The latter

y from this humiliation, a towering

rk suit that seemed tailored to highlight his natural presenc

alliances. » His voice was cold, each word carefully articulated. "But I assure

na took it. His gesture seemed calculated, almost theatrical, b

she whispered when they were a

playing on his lips. "Don't thank me too quickly

w. "Necessity? To ke

. "To protect what is mine, Lyana . And to remind everyone that no one d

om annoyance or something else. Draven had a way of making every interact

Lyana noticed that, despite his cold demeanor, Draven had a certain talent for manipulating conver

rs. But she knew it was only temporary. The real fight was only beginning, and