t to my parents, the Winstons. A Southern traditi

An international banking cri

.. unavoidable." His voice was s

d, Alexander

old knot forme

amily's Virgini

tle too bright. My father's

or. Important work." My father sa

er? Was I now just an inconvenient reminde

the thoug

dding day. The chao

Alex

pity, but with a strange, fie

arm, closing over mine a

ked my knuckles as he led me from the chapel, s

ed, Emilia," he'd murmured,

an to make such a

doubt

veranda, a glass of iced

alright,

.. thi

as always a disappoint

Jackson,

ine*? Or was I just a resp

Dinner was a

d me a small glass of bourb

oth, smoky liquid was a wel

swept across th

atious sports car

n. And

sank. W

veranda, Brandy clinging to

" Jackson's voice was loud, slurring

she's drinking to forget

ward. "Jackson. This

kson smirked. "Or we were. Until Emilia decided to... tra