AEL'

he velvet armchair I sank into, the golden light streaming through tall windows, the soft scent of fresh roses pl

saying "the rich also cry." No one would've guessed, looking at my de

he had tor

ning, without reason. Just... vanished

nce knew, the same delicate features, the same nervous smile. The on

wrong. I ignored it. I

year. I'd never loved any woman before her. I h

attering a closed window. Her father was Judge Henry Dunlop,

st a year. I prop

later, sh

r booming business behind. I moved to New York hop

, I found myself more irritable, angry, withdrawn. I co

ary force, like each crumple could drown out the ache. The headli

her page, I looke

stood in

s. The silent exchange of glance

anted

ai

tant sign of respect. "Bodyguards, out," I said withou

sat close

ng my mother's hand like she was a n

again. Their aged love was beginning to

three years since Natasha. Don't you

" I finished bitt

clearly choosing her words. "

nap

back. 'Get married. Move on.' Do you think I wanted this pain?

for years. "You two pushed and pushed until she felt smothere

when Da

a gunshot, shaking the calm fr

One week to bring a woman home. Or you l

ke that, he

ered, reaching for my hands. "I know you love

jaw, trying no

on. A decision to stay, when it's easy and especially when it's not. Even the Bible says, h

t one line. Lo

For the first time in all their nagging, it did

nly resolved. "Et

voice always had a calming effect, and his cheerfu

ye. "Sign me up with the best

d, surpri

adline. Two weeks. I do

h." He turn

they know, I'm not looking f

lent nod and

decisions. I wasn't doing this for lo

just like Natasha made my heart feel when she left. Let

alking in

aits. Hundreds of top-tier women flooded my inbox. Models. Heiresses. CEOs. But no

op in frustration, another notifica

ed it

was Aless

. it stirred something

f her applicatio

e anything he wants, but

up str

rest

e in weeks, my cu

," I said alo

ke that, th