rely catch

o sleep, the silence was there, even in a mansion wrapp

ge still

ar white. T

e mentioned, I knew

et M

fiancée, my

? How long had she known Lucian? Did she ever warn me when I was too naïve to

ighter like it had do

e reason h

t. It was surgical. Controlled. And whatev

st... co

6:45 a.m., knocking once before

fast today," she announced, handing me a slate gray dress and hee

e I hadn't gotten the messag

ther. Maybe she knew n

essed. I tied my hair backwards in a simple low bun with a band. I purposely wore no jewelry and m

ssive pillars, decorated with crystal chandeliers, and contained a long table that could seat twenty pe

ald A

Arain C

n who'd sued half his competitor

houldered, with his wet grey hair slicked backwards. He

ly. "So this is the girl Lu

dicated was mine to sit on. The one three spaces away from him. I noticed that the rest of the table

ered a mom

on a neatly tailored navy suit. His jaw lacked a single strand of hair. It was cl

at across the table and gently picked up his coff

r, was the one w

id, voice like fine-cut stone. "I didn't think the Coles wo

round my fork.

to me. Just once. Th

to stay calm. "Aft

Oh, your father didn't tell yo

s jaw t

the conversation from there, but he only turned a page in his pa

. Expecting an answer from Reginald. Who l

ed in the destruction of Lucian's mother's leg

eath

cian, stunned.

didn't

s a partner in a multi-million-dollar development deal. The one that Lucian's mother had secured as

uisition behind her back. A hostile one. Sold the shares to competitors who fold

room

ed it," Reginald continued. "But let'

th wen

late like he might sna

whispered. "

nd the storm behind

es

wo

and

ame curling in my

," I said quie

narrowed. "B

he said casually. "You've raised a fine, cold

react. Malco

ined f

, I realized something

a marriage. It

It was obvious that the breakfast setup was organized just for me

alone, staring at the wall and thinking about how my life was bei

mother. A woman who was tryi

was going to make sure I paid th

of the man who r

t pay. In silence, in obedience, and with a

open, I expected Ela

"Surprised?" Her red lips moved with

in towards

using a sound that moved with the rhyth

d. "I figured you'd

an has exquisite taste.

you want?

a hawk. "I thought it might hurt. But... I see now he'

on't know anyth

hed a brow

ff a strand of hair. "He doesn't need love. He needs control. Yo

I won't let you g

y there," she said, then turned and walked out. The c

is mansion, I felt something colder than fear.

has alre

is still

etween them both

ved a package outsi

n

old colo

cklace. Thin. G

le word eng

ss