a was always the highligh

ry hotel, it wasn't just about charity-it was a stage. A p

seemed brighter. The c

r, Isabella Vaug

gown shimmered like midnight silk, hugging her figure, shoulders bare, chin high. Diamond earrings wink

as followed her up the steps

as a

dn't n

l music curling through the air, and the soft clink of champagne glasses in the hands of the

enter of it

nquest. Her crimson gown flowed like wine, every jewel placed w

la entered, a silent ripple of cu

ame afte

vanished after

nsion-or ju

found Isabell

ard members and a socialite too dr

smooth as buttercream. "I was beg

w. "And miss your favorite pe

brief, careful pres

well," Cel

lla replied. "You've mastered

o you still remember which fork is for salad, or ha

abella said sweetly. "Espec

held for a

behind her. "Enjoy yourself," she said, before drift

tened around her champagne glass. The tas

from behind her, his

ys did prefer to draw bloo

never piss you

row arched. "That ship sail

crooked smile. "Still

shoul

you're forgiving

n what you

et out of here? The rooftop terrace

pa

nod

um through the glass. The cool night air kissed her bare shoul

en said, folding his arms. "You sm

" Isabella murmured. "And

"What happened betwe

lowly. "You want

t the

y. Her voice, when it came,

ion sank in. Before Dad made her choose loyalty over love." She paused.

ad something to do w

dly. "I know she's hiding somethin

. "And what happ

glass. "Then I decide what kind

ill. And then Damien pulled th

logs the night your father died. It's old, but it

ed at th

sma

ch we

ady," s

words left her l

ft in t

nothing would be th

oom, Celeste turned to g

e still

her champagne gl