an's

rdue rent and a sick mom. Yet here I was, shoved

rolled, his posture perfect. He tugged me close, like I

ed it away. "Back off!" I yelled, but my

ren muttered,

even know?" I hissed

ened on me. The black car waitin

e leather seat, my heart pounding. He climbed

ng. My che

ll was that?

red a drink from the car's m

ainst my knees. "I di

o me, sharp and co

are! Not....." My thr

st sipped his drink, star

zzed. I fum

calls. All f

o

mach d

ed quick

ky, breathless. "Adri

what it lo

ered. "You're married to him. To So

e was watching me now

licated,"

ost powerful, heartless man in the city into our l

them back. "I'll explain. Ju

than her words. Then

e phone, my

didn't

t me like tha

head slightl

other problem you

ed, but he d

e're here, sir," t

ut the wind

. It was the Knight

uttered.

n said, adjusti

phy. I'm not part

" he said flatly. "

my chest. Husband. I

pened. I d

this car, the press tears you apart. C

ut I hated the

fol

old. People in suits froze as we wa

's hi

t the h

s going to

ence. My reflection stared back at me, messy hair, wrinkled

tood Soren Knig

d. My stomach dropp

an was waiting. Tall, shar

g," he said to S

wed. "Wh

e man smirked. "Nathan

felt like a throne room. At the far end,

k and his presenc

ice heavy. "This is t

icked to me like I w

ution? A stranger? A liability? Do you know wh

. "I know exactl

hen you'll fix it. You'll

earing him call me a farce, like I didn't

outh, but Sor

N

oom s

repeated, h

e an annulment

serious? This wasn't a st

e against the desk. "You th

t control me anym

l. "Careful. You know how he g

. His eyes drilled

chin. "Wha

," he said. "You think this is a game? A free ri

ieved

, voice cracking. "I didn't ask to b

th curled. "

av

away. Pretend it never happen

yes on me and somehow, le

dy seen it,"

rowed his

an walks out now, he's finished. Whi

My stoma

back to him. "You dare

g," Soren said.

even bold men bleed. Especially

w what he meant. I

you don't learn to survive in my house, you'll be gone before you re

rt sla

y arm, steady.

e it. Prove this isn't a mistak

the room with u

we give them time. Let the press have their specta

ing us with a flick of his

arm and steered me out. My leg

se, whispering, "Welcome to the

idn't let go until we w

ors sl

the mirrored wall. My refl

o this," I

unreadable. "You d

. You're the one who trapped me in this. You kissed me, you dragged me into that chapel, you sto

but his voice s

bitter. "Yo

ed to a hallway lined with cold por

ice dropped, raw. "T

s shadow falling over m

if you think you're walking away, Adrian..." His jaw tightened.

ard. "And wha

th brushing my ear, hi

ed in the faintest