ide home

re together, but be

en concluded. When River had finally mustered the strength to leave,

't leaving

ren't a

fate, they arrived at the ma

n the driveway, he was already stepping out. The soft glow of the estate's outdoo

ucha

e wanted to b

he pavement as she stepped out,

was

ding her

ing like she

am

t the sound

didn'

ard, her dress swayi

k at

ately. His eyes were unreadable, his posture rela

he balled them into fists at

ut his expression rem

ht. He wasn't e

"You let me stand there in front of everyone, looking

n inconvenience. "I told you it was an assistant

n't a mistake!"

icked. "Lower

in her chest. "Unbelievable," she muttered. "You don't care, d

oug

ing through the space be

but she refuse

I'm trying, James. I'm trying to be what you want, trying to make this-" She swallowed,

for a long moment

he s

and through his hair. "River, you need to g

if the words had p

sence suffocating. "You think I w

throat t

eal," he said, voice cold. "You were so

eath c

didn't

ckname was mocking. "Your family ruined themselves.

sting of tears

not let

front

s wasn't

o don't stand there and lecture me about embarrassment. Your father's name was al

entire b

ad no

back against the overwh

then let out a breath, running a hand d

ing toward the

the warmth of the mansion fee

d have fo

ed at him, thrown some

he co

alread

e entered their room and closed the do

ressing a hand over her

ldn't s

this

with

er cheeks, her r

she could change this or t

di

e neve

d was m

as le