flection looked pale and tired, dark circles forming under her eyes. She had been

and whispered to herself, "You can't

on the counter. I

onight. Adrian will be there. And for h

w she felt? Did she ever notice when Amelia was falling apart? Of cours

Adri

of his voice outside the café. "Since that night..." His words

flowers and golden ribbons, sunlight streaming through the stained-glass windows. Seren

elia," Serena called, not even glancing at her sister, "stand

ching the small bouquet she had been given, her hands trembling.

rian wa

ir sh

oom effortlessly. Serena rushed to him with a smile, kissing his

he replied coolly, his

is gaze fo

ngered, sharp and unreadable. She felt her skin heat under

on Serena's instructions, on the lines she was supposed to p

away to the side aisle, pressing her hand to her stomach as

fell ac

eli

d, and there he was...Adrian, stan

voice was low, not a qu

hough her lips trembled.

r stomach. Her breath hitched, and she qui

in his eyes as he watched her.

omething from me?

"No. Of course no

e rough. "Because you can't even look at me. And be

eyes, but she shook her head desperately.

aw clenched, his eyes dark. Then, finally,

t I'll find out the truth,

sed against the wall, trembling. Her secret was slipping through h

**

owing faintly outside her window. She wrapped her arms around

r she spoke of Adrian. Serena was selfish, yes, but she didn

about t

r touch gentle. A life was growing inside her.

ache. She whispered softly,

nly the silence o

r. Her body would betray her soon, no matter how hard she tried.

ht was not a man wh

as not a woman who

*

small art gallery she managed, greeting the staff, pretending to smi

re, she coul

through her. Adrian walked in, tall and commandin

the staff stammered,

Adrian said flatly, h

herself to step forward. "Why

said simp

rner of the gallery, away from prying eyes. His grip on

oice low and sharp. "I know someth

ook her head, tears welli

ause if you don't, I'll find out myself. And when I

, to beg him to let her go. But the words stuck in her thro

econd. His hand hovered near her st

g back into place. "Fine. Keep your secret. But d

r chest aching, her secre

e truth was only a heartbe