silk sheets, the unfamiliar luxury still clinging to her skin like an ill-fitting mask. Her body wa

inning to realize the c

y the scent of coffee- strong, bitte

ble counter with a n

ry not to burn down the pe

he corner of her mouth. The man had a talent for soun

etched beneath her, pulsing with life. Horns blared, people hurried

s chest

sister. And she need

dialed the one person who

Ava squealed w

ina smiled. "

otter than the sun. Every

n't say 'hot' and 'husban

d like a whole Disney queen

tched t

internet watched i

dropped her

tag Cindere

hel

elcome to the s

hed. "It's

aw the way he look

d. "What d

w. It didn't

lt it too. The flicker in Frank's eyes, the softening in his voice. But

mething goo

d. "I miss y

good. That

r a moment, the distance

echoed through the penthouse. Her phon

she muttered, clicki

made her he

Anonymous Source Claims

rolled

claiming to be "close to the bride" saying Regina was a nobody with a struggling business and tha

ood ra

asked. "What

ckly. "Just...bad Wi-Fi

nd immediatel

ans

ried

cem

television, the story had al

s "saving face" with a strategic marriage. They dissected her background, her baker

me the fina

w with Sabr

s eyes

I were together for years. We were planning a future. Then suddenly he's ma

after his money?"

e," Sabrina said with a practiced sigh. "But I jus

d around her coffee

. She turned to see Frank

t off," h

re Sabrina's smug fa

it?" Regi

rowled. "The leak came from

her arms. "W

oze.

mors. The damage control.

ed. "It's more comp

bitterly. "Of

a distraction. I married you because you were

l, lucky for you, I come w

t. The air between them charg

's phone b

, turning a

I want the source iden

aced her. "This

nk?" she

part to perfection. No more mistakes. No more real emotions. Yo

chest heaving. "So now I

ice lower now. "Y

ane, with nothing but a crumbling reputa

echo of Frank's footsteps

e my s

harder than

ruth beneath it. She hadn't just walked into a marriage of convenience. Sh

Frank's reaction had only fueled her suspicions. He was hiding something. Something deepe

. This time, a message

e greenhouse.

enhouse? In the midd

ng in her gut

gate and surrounded by climbing ivy and exotic blooms, the greenhouse looked

phone in one hand, a steam

he said, n

?" Regina ask

only place Frank d

ted. "He spies o

y. "He monitors everything.

this world had teeth. I did

r than before. "I brought you here because I need

her arms.

lp shift attention. But it wasn't just a PR stunt." He stepped closer. "

nd time someone's told me tha

om him. Power. Status. A seat at his table. You? You walked in with a wor

I care about why my life is be

omeone wants him destroyed. And t

a step bac

own variable. They don't

at him. "

nswer, the greenhous

the doorway, hi

," he sai

out, but not before givin

rank stepped inside, slowly

in secret now?" he asked,

"He told me the truth. Som

ed closer.

I'm a pawn. And someone out ther

ed, but he d

. "What aren't you

looked at her. Then, to her

pent the last decade cleaning it up." He paced the greenhouse now, voice heavy.

e the floor til

n't just ab

hers. "It's about p

nd you thought marryin

rying you woul

voice steady. "Then you should'

bitter and quie

ut w

wanted someone real. Someone who wou

d n

ugh that she could f

bring you into my world, Re

, neither of

ered, "So what

her. "Next,

a brow. "

waver. "If you'r

her out of obscurity and into chaos. Who

ded. Slowly

rank," she said. "But I sure as he

that was half-gri

"Because the war