ne peeled her eyes open, a strange tension prickled

blade tucked in her sleeve, mus

r eyes, nothing se

lled with tenderness and quiet heartbreak, wa

shimmered with fresh tears. "Naddie,

his hands in a rare show of nerves. "You went through so much

s. He could not forgive himself f

ister stripped the house of anything valuable and

the family together. Without

s nothing short o

but faded room, her gaze catching on a childhood

of everything that happened.

vel so quickly afte

king in the shad

e raspy from sleep. "Don't worry about m

felt strange, as though i

Nadine ask about their father was like a

hat moment, she w

g and managed some porridge, then drifted back to

iration in his voice. Nad

selves. The Decadesleep Toxin remained a ticking clock inside Jordy

time left unless she found a

n. "You must be starving, Nadine. Mom's made br

int smile and cl

ing to pour her tea or pass her food, determine

gaze soft and unwavering, as if a

have called for a meeting today about the marriage agreement." His voice faltered with e

shoulders. "Don't worry. No matter what happens, I w

nd dabbed her lips with a napki

arrangement was nothing mor

ation, Jacob," s

, surprised. "Nadin

sive nod. "I'm ending

uinely cared about this alliance, the Clark fa

the notorious heir from a family with a reputation stee

mily's troubles gave her all the justification

.

ear the window, a storm brewing

licked to

ssed since their sch

contract dissolved as quickly as possible. He was just about to rise and leave wh

n. But in the next instant, s

haunted his dreams and filled the emp

n border, it was her face he saw just before the world went bl

his eyes, thinking it was simply annoyance over th

not waste time. The engagement is over. You won't have to worry about it anymore. E

three relentless years, he had hunt

ce behind the search, overturned every st

ooking for sat right across from

orced out the words. "You

him with a hint

, he had a reputation

talk about his STD

ng smile. "No, I have no idea who you are. If that's all, Mr.

from the table a

to block her way. "Who said I