but laced with concern. "I'm about twe

he hysteria I felt clawing at my insides. "He aban

of breath on hi

be part of his life once he controls Sterling Global through our marriage." I d

, then, "Are you oka

Looking like an idiot." My attempt a

is." Ethan's voice was firm, a

plastic bench, the sounds of the cl

ger was solidifying into resolve. Pres' s betrayal was

The will stipulated my sp

n't specify

sically handsome like Pres, but his features were strong, his eyes kind and intelligent. He wore a si

crowding, just present

the callous texts. I watched his expression shift from conce

t for a long moment, his gaze

," he said finally, his

thinks he can have the company and

old, deep understanding there, something I had taken f

it. The

strength. "It says 'upon her marriage

s will, the intricacies of it. We' d discussed it years

n, a note of caut

. I can't let him. He wants to use that clause to take over, to mock everything my gr

trust. Someone who wouldn't exploit that p

ething unreadable in their depths.

ctly at him.

me, truly sur

e can fulfill the terms of the will. We can protect Sterling Global. And... and I t

and a desperate need to regain control, but as I

ysteria, of rashness. He saw the pain, yes, but h

level, though he' d never spoken them, always respectful of

lowly. "Are you sure? This isn't just abou

with Pres," I said, and I meant it. "He showed me who he

ine, warm smile that reached his eyes. "Okay, Ro

I took it. His grip was firm, warm, a

he clerk's cou

ense," Ethan said, his

surprise in her eyes as she saw me with a different man.

f a brutal betrayal. It wasn't a fairy