nothing to numb the fire of betrayal. Damien's words echoed in my he

t be his c

y man I wanted. I didn't need to beg for scr

"I'm serious, Dad. I'm marrying Hunter. I trust him

the b

, my voice sharp. "Their deference to me is just an act." I hid the flicker of pai

shoulders. "I ha

ng, swe

them. And fire the intern, Luna McClain, for failing to meet hiring stan

d slowly. "If that's what you want

hest. I walked out of the

e headquarters. Dressed in a delicate white dress, she was the very pi

ou! I heard there's a charity gala

felt sick to my stomach. This was the face of the

om her grasp with

theatrical genius, she let out a small cry and tumbled

bottom of the stairs. It was Damien.

them all, standing t

d with rage. "Elena, you vicious bitch! How could

with tears in her eyes. "No, no, it wasn't Elena! I just slipped

, her lip trembling. She

ared at me wit

dismissive look before scooping Luna into his arms

the staircase, the target of a dozen

custom gown, the picture of composure. But she was there, of course. Luna, who

rry about this morning. And please, don't worry about me and Damien

shawl around her shoulders when she shivered, personally fetched her a glass of champagne. When she complained that her high

elt f

fr

he party was a grand piano, and I had wanted to hear Damien play. He

im that a man should o

t sixteen-year-old Damien and said, "Play for he

t humiliation. A performance for his future