ficate was crisp,

ds trembled slightly, hidden beneath the long sleeves of the cream blouse Adr

gue

v

flo

d a billionaire with

adable. He hadn't said a word since they walked into the courth

Blackwood," the clerk said, sli

nod. Adrian did

elt like an entire world. Outside, rain drizzled down

limbed inside. "There will be cameras. Public appea

ened. "And behin

Behind closed doors, you

ion-but because a part of her remembered a different Adrian. The one who on

t man w

stepped inside, the contrast to her modest apartment nearly stole her breath.

tely. "Mrs. Blackwood,

r r

shared

ur an

cou

ie. "We'll dine at seven. My assistant will brief yo

im. "And our son? Whe

ckered. Just for

ay with m

. But you will follow the terms. One year. Be the wi

rned, but she

ut his voice stoppe

ea

refusing t

his is revenge. Maybe it is. But do

eath c

u," she whispered.

le

ing. The door to hi

in a golden cage, bound n

else's life. Everything screamed power-polished, perfect, and utterly imperson

bedspread, already missing the soft clutter of her tiny apartment-the drawings on

ssed h

Tomorrow? A week? A month? She didn

interrupted

sleek tablet. "Good evening, Mrs. Blackwood. I'm Hazel, Mr. Blac

nked. "I

ions. Business galas. You'll be expected to attend as Mr. B

ah muttered, thumbin

"You are the face of Blackwood reput

trophy wife for a man with a h

ves in all the right ways, a crimson color that made her feel like a walking temptation. Sh

y the dining table, scrolling through something on his pho

ze dar

p well," he

row. "You don't loo

crossed his face. It va

long. A chef brought out wine and courses she could

ee him," she

n't answer

w. Safe. Happy. When I'm sure you

r flared. "H

d. "You don't get to rewrite th

calm-but sha

you lied to me, Adrian. Because I found out who you really were-the se

you're ba

n, voice lo

the second you stepp

him. "You br

n't de

ocked-two st

crackled between them, to

suddenly. "Di

her chair. "Run

u've forgotten how dan

h fury. "And you've forgotten how much I

moment. Like her wo

past her, lips brus

ver part of

anding there,

ai

-