n's

always been my w

an Vega crashed into my world, control h

the headlines were merciless. Knight Heir Betrays Bride. C

ing far below. My phone lit up nonstop with calls from b

led into my office without knocking

said lightly. "Al

king down her flawless face. She looked fragile, heartb

ther. "The sympathy vote works wonders, doesn't it? Investors are pullin

ng, poisonous, made somet

for a reason,

t you off, let the sharks devour what's left. But me?" He spread his hands, all charm. "I could help. I

im. "You want

y. "A seat at the table. A chance to p

. Because if I did, I might

e," he murmured, "I just want to see how far you'll fall for that boy. Becau

ile didn't falter, bu

ut," I

before leaning close enough f

protect h

icked shut

at followed wa

glass wall behind me. Nathan was right about one thing, Adrian was my

d tear him apart and drag me down with him. But the truth was sha

he door opened before I coul

s jaw tight, but his eyes...

een it?"

ry a

y calls. People are digging up everything-my debts, my jobs, even old

ce steady. "You

you to say. You've lived in this sto

k deeper than I

close enough to see the exhausti

nked.

voice was low, stead

ed mine. "I did

uldn't have st

planned thi

nd, you destroy anyone in your way. But that night, you didn

his was temporary, that the contract was all that mattered.

et me c

parted.

The board. Victor. Nathan. All of

tared at me, something unrea

almost too soft to hear

taunts. Because maybe he was right. I'd

back into my voice. "We have a press conference tomorrow. You'll

. He just nodded sti

the glass wall. For the first time, I didn't look like

****

hing the city lights flicker like stars too far awa

my eye. From an

protect him,

Just an

ady knew w

th

-

med into my office before da

rs want to pull everything. If you don't

kno

t, Soren. Since him. Since Adrian. You're ma

linching. "Maybe th

in line. "Or maybe it's exa

ened again. Adrian stood there in

s voice steady desp

row, the press tears me apart and I fall... wi