Olivia, and Maya moved like ghosts in the vast hallways, their attempts at normalcy fallin

e. He'd wanted a controlled lineage, a loyal wife for his heir. Izzy had proven herself anything but. Kate Miller, however... he had spoken of her o

life, I'd been too blinded by Izz

to go to t

dens. Liam was, as expected, hovering nearby. Olivia an

, my voice casual.

. "Drive you? But... my

h air. And Liam can come too. For your security, of course, given

rward. "I'll dr

d. "I'd prefer Isabel

to a role she clearly didn't want,

and Maya watched us leave, thei

tom Rolls-Royce. Izzy drove, her hands gripping the wheel tightly. Liam sat in t

and my game. They expected grief, guilt, perhaps a willingness

dedication. A stark contrast to the vip

, bordered by dense woods. Izzy seemed incre

belle?" I asked, my v

r knuckles were white

it hap

t seemed, darte

scr

she wrenched the wheel violently to the right, directl

owards Li

he last second, t

Liam sat, was angled awa

side rear, took the

screeching tires, shattering glass

and immediate, s

y's face in the rearview mirror, not in panic for me, but with a

ried to avoi

t. And she had c

n't me