educed and replaced with a quiet determination to do well. By now, she had learned Ella wakes up early. so Rose

imidating as it had a day earlier. There was something about the routine, t

tacking blocks into what looked like the beginnings of a castle. At the sound of Rose's foots

ling to her feet and throwing

her back. "Good morning, pr

ly. "Daddy read m

d, surprise

g away. "He read a little, then said I

head. It was an unexpected glimpse into a different side of Christian Ashford one that wasn

She expected to leave Ella with the kitchen staff and then begin organizing

was alre

had just stepped straight out of a Vogue magazine . Sharp jaw, sleek hair, and a cold focus o

s. She hurried over to his side, tugg

ith us?" she asked, her

b. Sharing meals with the boss of the

eciding whether she was worth the disruption to his mor

de Ella and across from Christian, her heart b

ooked to perfection. Buttery pastries arranged in neat rows. And the coffee

oft hum of classical music playing in the background. Christian sipped his c

kward silence, Rose cleared her

as though the question mil

orange juice. "Daddy d

ight have scolded anyone else, b

mboldened. "I

ork at Rose. "Do y

e admitted. "But

most curved. Not quite a smile, but the g

family meal. But it was...

e sunlight filtered through the trees, casting dappled shadows across the lawn. Ella ran ahead, prete

nse of peace. Like maybe this job could be more than just a pa

lasted exactl

ing silent. Rose glanced over, expecting it to be a delivery or maybe one of the sta

n step

in perfect waves. Designer sunglasses shielded her eyes, but even from a distance, there was an

roze at the sight of her told Ro

n't just

greeted stiffly

m

an's ex

closer, her small ha

s, her gaze landing on Rose. She smiled, but it wasn't friendly. It w

ly, voice dripping with fal

stinctively protectiv

rpened. "Oh. Ho

t the way she said them m

had just

ing feeling this wa