Fake marriage with CEO

looking at her phone. "And before you say anything, no, I didn't hide it. I just thought it wouldn't work out, but apparently it's becoming something serious." She sighs, finally looking at me. "He's very special! He's handsome, polite, charming, a real prince!" She says with a dreamy look. "We've been dating for a few months now and everything has been so perfect. I think he really is the right guy," she concludes, sighing. - Oh my God, you're crazy about this guy and I didn't even know he existed! - I give her an accusing look. - But okay, when can I meet Mr. Perfect? ​​- I ask curiously. - We decided that we're really dating a little while ago, unfortunately he'll have to travel for a while for work, he helps his father at the company so he has to go on these business trips. I think he'll be back by the time you get back, then we can make plans to go out together. - Great, I want to see if he's everything you say he is, I just want you to be happy and if he makes you happy, nothing else matters. - He makes me happy, I don't think I've ever been as happy as I am now - she says radiantly. - That's great, I hope this ends in marriage - I tease smiling. After talking a little more about Mr. Perfect we go back to packing her bags, she seems so happy, this guy is really doing her good, I just hope he doesn't hurt her. When everything is ready, we order Italian food and wait for Cecília, who was supposed to come straight from work. It doesn't take long for her to show up, looking tired but with a smile on her face. "I can't believe I'm going to be away from you for so long!" She says as soon as she sees me. She comes over to me and wraps me in a warm hug. "Stop being so exaggerated!" I find the way she says it funny. "So much drama!" Miriam exclaims, sitting down and looking at us boredly. "Hi to you too, little sister!" She says, blowing a kiss to Miriam. They are so similar, but at the same time so different. I love them both, each with their own unique style. Miriam is very white, with light brown, almost blonde hair and hazel eyes, almost like a doll. Cecília also has the same skin tone, with dark brown hair and honey eyes that are a bit green. She has a mouth that is her trademark, and a more aggressive beauty. She and her sister look alike physically, but in the way they act they could not be more opposite. While Miriam is an architect, reserved and calm, Cecília is completely crazy, likes to enjoy life and does not care about other people's opinions. The only thing she takes seriously is her profession. She is an excellent pediatrician. She does her job with so much love that there is no doubt that she was born to do it. She loves children, despite saying that she will never have her own. We ate talking about my trip. Cecília and I work at the same hospital, she is a pediatrician and I am a neurologist. She spends the whole dinner making a fuss about how I am abandoning her alone, saying how much she will miss me, but I really need this vacation. I've been feeling really tired lately. I've barely had a break since I started studying, and now it's starting to get to me. Taking a vacation is no longer a luxury, but a necessity. We finish eating and go to get my luggage. We'll go in Miriam's car. Daniel will meet us there, going straight from work. The bad part about traveling on a weekday is that it disrupts other people's routines. The way to the airport is full of laughter and jokes. When we finally arrive, we go to my boarding gate. Daniel is already waiting for us. When he sees me, he runs over to hug me. "You haven't even gone yet and I already miss you," he says as he smells my hair. "Calm down, Dani. It's only for a month. I'll be back soon," I say, laughing. "Who am I going to run with on the weekends for this month?" he asks, making a face like an abandoned dog. "With your red-haired neighbor who's always hitting on you," I reply, winking. "The only person I like to run with is you!" He offers me a kiss on the cheek and moves away to greet our friends. My flight is announced, I say goodbye to everyone and board the plane. Once I'm settled in my seat, I close my eyes and try to relax. My vacation is finally starting and I want to enjoy every minute of it! OceanofPDF.com When I finally land, I call a taxi and go straight to the hotel I booked. It's a fancy hotel with everything I need, a sauna, a pool, a hot tub. I decided to treat myself. I'm so tired that I'm going to relax wherever I can. As soon as I enter my room, I let out a satisfied sigh. It's a dream! A huge, soft-looking bed is calling to me every moment, but I bravely resist throwing myself in it and getting some sleep. I organize my clothes in the small built-in wardrobe that the hotel offers. This will be my home for a month. There's nothing better than keeping everything organized. I take a relaxing bath and put on a robe. I go to the window of my room where I can see the hotel pool. There aren't many people there because it's almost d

I turned my gaze to the lady. That woman didn't seem like the typical investor profile that my boss, Lúcio Xavier, usually served. Even with the rush, my curiosity forced me to change my focus for a few moments. With a polite smile, I approached her. "Good afternoon, ma'am. Can I help you with something? Are you waiting for someone in particular?" The woman looked at me with serious eyes, as heavy as a rainy day, and nodded. "I'm waiting for your boss." "For Mr. Xavier?" I repeated. - Yes. A feeling of intrigue mixed with curiosity took hold of me as I tried to understand what was going on. But before I could ask any more questions, the phone rang, interrupting our brief conversation. I picked up my cell phone. It was Lucio, of course. Who else could it be, considering the emergency situation he seemed to enjoy creating for himself? - Lucio, you're late for the 10:00 meeting - I informed him, trying to remain calm while the lady and the child at the reception occupied my thoughts. - I'm going to the company now - he replied, an irritated tone in his voice. He had probably left his house late and hit traffic on the way. - The traffic was hell. Didn't I say? I took a deep breath, trying not to let the frustration that was bubbling under the surface show. - Okay, I'll keep you updated on anything urgent - I replied, with a hint of resignation in my voice. I turned off the cell phone, knowing that it would be a long day ahead. After all, with Lucio Xavier in charge, there would always be more than enough to occupy my mind. I looked at the lady and the baby. Should I tell my boss about them? Something inside me kept whispering that there was something wrong here. While I was lost in my thoughts, pondering the presence of the lady and the baby in the reception area, a sudden movement caught my attention. I looked up in time to see Lucio Xavier coming towards me. His bearing was impressive, as always. Lucio had a way of moving that seemed to command the attention of everyone around him. His steps were firm and confident, his posture erect and determined. The impeccable clothes, tailored to his body, flowed elegantly as he moved around the office. His dark hair was combed with precision, every strand in the right place, without a single strand out of place. His beard, neatly trimmed, accentuated the defined contours of his face. The scent of his perfume, sophisticated and enveloping, permeated the air around him, filling the room with an aura of masculinity and power. Our eyes met in the middle of his walk. And then, to my surprise, my heart gave an unexpected jump. I blinked, confused with myself. I had to control myself not to put a hand to my chest. I was used to seeing him every day, after all. Why, then, did it seem like a disconcerting anxiety was taking over me as he got closer and closer, with an intensity that was impossible to ignore? I think my head was spinning because of all the stress I had already been through this morning. Even so, Lúcio's proximity only intensified the turbulence inside me, a strange sensation that seemed to wrap itself around my chest, imposing itself in a way that left me a little breathless. Focus, woman! What is this?! You need more sleep, you know? - Sofia. I had to lift my chin to look at him. Lucio was a tall, strong man with a presence that filled the room. His impatient eyes anticipated the questions he wanted to ask. "Have the shareholders arrived yet? Are they in the meeting room?" he asked, his voice urgent, while his breathing seemed to match the rapid rhythm of his heart. "Yes, Lucio. Everything is ready," I replied calmly, accustomed to dealing with his impetuosity. Before we could continue our conversation, the lady at the reception desk cleared her throat, drawing our attention. Lucio and I turned to her. "I need to speak with you, Mr. Xavier," she began, her voice carrying a harshness I had not expected to hear. Lucio frowned, his impatience clearly evident in every line of his face. "Do you have an appointment?" The lady shook her head. "No, but it is urgent." "Make an appointment with my secretary," he huffed impatiently, pointing at me. "I am late for a meeting. "What I have to say is about him," the lady declared, pointing to the little baby beside her. Lucio arched an eyebrow, as confused as I was. "Who is he?" She took a deep breath. She stared at my boss. And opened her mouth. "Your son."Lucio Your son.

Jack tilted his head to the side and left, his footsteps echoing in the empty room. Enzo stopped beside me, touching my shoulder. "Why won't you help me?" I asked, regretful. "She has to die or the deal will be broken." Enzo crouched down and looked blankly at the woman who had watched me grow up. Michelle was an aunt I held dear to my heart. "Say goodbye, Dominic." - He took my hands away from the wound, which began to spurt even more blood. - Say goodbye. - Take care... of her... - Michelle spoke again. - I will, I promise. - I held her hand. - I will protect her for the rest of my life. Enzo touched Michelle's eyelids, closing her eyes and praying in Italian. - Why did she have to die? - She caused chaos in a delicate balance that our lives are based on. - It was to protect her daughters - I stammered, looking at her dead. - That doesn't matter. She sought her sentence. Now, all she can do is make those guilty of this also pay for the sins they committed. - Enzo pulled me by the shirt. - We have to leave. I said I would bring you back to say goodbye, not to stay here for long. My feet felt heavy. My whole body. It was the first time I had seen someone die. Today had been full of kidnappings, gunshots, angry husbands and death. Lots of death. I was just in Los Angeles for a trip with my friends, visiting an aunt and suddenly, I was in a trap to save Kate's life. How would I go back and tell her that her mother died? And how would I face her knowing who killed her? What kind of sick life was I born into? "Do you want to throw up?" Enzo stopped me before we got in the car. I looked at my bloody hands and suddenly, he hit me in the back of the head. I woke up in a bed, looked up at the ceiling and jumped to the floor. "Do you think it's easy to carry your weight all the way here?" He was smoking in the corner, looking at the city. "Go take a shower or you'll get sick again." "I didn't get sick, you hit me!" "Yes, I saved you from the embarrassment of passing out and throwing up." Enzo continued to be bored in the corner. "Your phone rang. Your parents are looking for you, your coach too." I went to the bathroom feeling dizzy and took a shower, avoiding looking at the color of the water. I was taller than the glass of the shower and my head almost hit the shower head, and I couldn't fit in the square without hitting my elbows on the sides, but I managed to get out of there. Michelle was dead, that was the thought that invaded me when I stood in front of the mirror. And she was killed right in front of me. There was still blood on the corners of my nails, marking my life forever. "Where is he?" I heard a male voice with an Italian accent. "Crying in the bathroom," Enzo answered and I wanted to punch him. "What happened?" "We have to go to the Canadian package. Time to leave." "Okay." Enzo kicked the bathroom door open completely. "You're on your own. See you in New York." He smiled and left. Alone in the hotel room, I got dressed in the clean clothes that had been left, grabbed my things and disappeared out the back, using an instinct for escape that I had never known before. I walked around the city in the middle of the night, feeling lost and not trusting anyone at all. Without realizing it, I stopped in front of Michelle's house. I felt a hand touch my shoulder. [3] "What are you doing here?" Kyra snapped. "You have to leave now." "Where's Kate?" "Alone, in there. Is there anything of yours there?" Robert hasn't come back yet; Michelle's men have scattered and left the girl alone. "Then she's going to New York with me." I took a step forward and Kyra stopped me. "He's going to kill her. Her father won't protect her. He doesn't care about Kate." I looked back at the house. Kate would get in the way of my parents' plans. She needed to stay alive and I couldn't take care of her with him under the same roof. I didn't know what to do. "Why are you telling me these things? Don't you play on my father's team?" "I play on my team." She smirked. "Come in, get your things. She'll be safe as long as her father thinks she's worth some money." "I promised I'd keep her safe." Kyra was silent, looking at my face for a while and then at the house. "Go get your things, I know what to do.

attractive woman. A divorced and lonely man. Fate Secrets Forgiveness Seduction Being a nanny for a five-year-old child seemed easy. But as for enduring the seduction of her boss, easy or impossible? What could a kiss cause? A man determined to do anything to get what he wants And a woman hard to forget. Copyright © 2024 Natália França All rights reserved The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is coincidental and is not intentional on the part of the author. No part of this book may be reproduced or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the express written permission of the author. Cover: bk.designereditorial Illustration: cr_bannerss Chapter 1 - Daddy, wait! I turned around seeing my little one coming down the stairs in her uniform, I bent down to hug her, I was intoxicated by the sweet smell of her baby perfume and the smell of shampoo coming from her wet hair. - Good morning, daughter. - I don't want to go to school today. - Why? - I'm sick. - Where does it hurt? - I asked, putting my hand to her forehead, feeling her temperature. - All over her body. - Maybe I know what it is. - said Ivy, my sister, coming back from the kitchen with an apple in her hand. - Auntie, I'm sick. - Does this boo-boo start at the head and go all the way down to the feet? - Yes. - Sure. I have the diagnosis, it's called LAZINESS! Ivy ran after her to the car, the best sound was the laughter of my princess, a 5-year-old princess, very smart and who doesn't like going to school. - Thank you for taking her another day. - Miguel, my niece will never be a bother, but you need to hire someone, I won't be able to do this every day. - I know, I'll do it soon. - Every day you say the same thing. - I've been very busy, but I'll find time for it. - Forget it. I'll hire someone, leave it to me, focus on your work. - Ivy! - I know how to do it, just trust me. - Okay. I kissed her on the cheek and waved to Ayra as they left. After my separation, I got custody of my daughter, her mother didn't care since she had no feelings for her. It's strange, I know, but not everyone is ready to be parents. I met Úrsula at an event, my parents introduced us and within a few months we started dating. Ursula got pregnant after a year of dating, we decided to get engaged and get married before my belly got bigger, that's when we lost the rhythm and rushed everything. Our relationship was good until then, when the change came with the pregnancy, Ursula started to hate having our daughter, we fought a lot and it wore us out. Besides, she is an actress and lost some roles because she was pregnant, all of this only fueled the disgust of having our daughter. Before Ayra was one month old, Úrsula went on a 20-day trip and only told us when she was in Mexico, leaving me alone in Seattle with our daughter. Those were the worst days of my life, because Ayra depended on breast milk and we didn't have a drop at home or where to get it from. She lost weight, cried from hunger, got pneumonia... On one hand, it was my fault, I didn't know how to take care of my own daughter and I did everything wrong. Even with my family around, it was difficult and almost impossible. But Ayra was fine. And, at the same time that I blamed and hated myself, I swore to take care of her and be a good father. The day before Úrsula returned, I received a letter from her lawyer and the divorce papers. She didn't want that life, she wasn't looking for a family or a marriage, she wanted to live and do soap operas, we weren't in her plans. I thought it would be harder, but with her absence and abandonment, I thought a lot about us, especially about Ayra's future. There was no other way, only divorce. After all, you can't miss someone you never had around completely. - Sir, we're here. Like every morning, I stood admiring the building I had built. I am the CEO of the largest engineering company in Seattle, a long story for another time. I entered the company accompanied by my security guards, greeted my employees and got into the elevator accompanied by my personal assistant. - Sir, you will have a meeting in an hour with all the shareholders. - Where are the reports I requested? - On your desk. - Okay.

second I expected her to be complaining or even rambling angrily at me, but she doesn't. And this is just a sample of the many times she just keeps her head down and continues her work, while I can't control my animal side around her. "Shit!" I snort to myself and close my door. I go to my chair and throw myself into it, unable to think straight anymore. My life has become a mess, and a large part of it is the fault of a woman who doesn't even notice my looks at her. Ever since I saw her photo and her resume, when I looked for an employee at the company to be my personal assistant for a while, I find myself unable to control myself. Her brown eyes, which further highlight her dark skin, the color of sin, and a weak white smile, which she almost never shows, but her photo was my ally in this fact. I pick up the folder with her information again and look at the same photo that left me perplexed when I saw her for the first time. Since when did I see myself like this for a woman? Not even with Carla was it like this... I take a deep breath, leaving the photo on my desk and try not to scream another curse. At first, when I returned to Brazil, I had clear reasons and a right thing to do. But since life loves to play tricks, when I realized everything, my sister had already suffered an accident and lost part of her memory, and worse, I couldn't keep her from being close to her husband, who was my best friend, and was even capable of betraying her, also being the one to blame for the accident. If I returned, it was to tell my sister about what I found out about her husband, but in the end, a mess took over all of us. For now, we just hope that she gets better and her memory returns, so that she can decide what to do with her life. And me? For the first time, I want to be able to truly take care of my sister, truly protect her, stop being a selfish piece of shit. A soft knock on the door makes me sigh and I lean back against my chair. "Come in." The door opens, and the woman who drives me crazy enters. Doesn't she realize what she does to me? Ever since I saw her in person, I've been waiting for some look, some hint of interest. But on the contrary, Sophie seems completely oblivious to me. As if I were invisible to her. I always wonder why I never saw her on the trips I made to Brazil and on the many times I came to company parties or even meetings, but I could never really understand it. I know that if I had seen her, she would have caught my attention. - Mr. Lourenzinni, here are the papers you asked for. - she says, calmly as always, and places a folder on my desk. - Do you need anything else? - she asks, but doesn't look at me, looking slightly anywhere in the room, except at me. - Look at me, Sophie. - I ask, saying her name for the first time. I like the way it comes out of my lips. She blinks, I think she's surprised by my request, but then she lifts her chin and looks at me. Her brown eyes are a little hesitant, but I can't understand anything else about her. Besides, she's beautiful, completely. - Is there a problem, sir? - she asks and I shake my head. - You can leave. - I say, and she nods, leaving the room immediately. I wish I could have controlled myself, but I used my usual harsh tone with her. Why does she do this to me? It seems that at any moment I am near her, noticing her indifference, I will explode. I think that is why I cannot treat her well, at least wish her a good morning. This woman moves me in a way that no other woman has ever managed to do. But I do not know how to move on, at least not for now. For now, I am concentrating on work. However, knowing that the woman who drives me crazy is just a few steps away only makes everything worse. I am lost. Months later Sophie I stare at the computer screen, while I try to control the frustration I feel. I read and reread what is written on the screen, and I feel like correcting the meaning of dictator in the dictionary itself. One of the meanings is missing: Daniel Lourenzinni. I have never been one to get stressed or even suffer because of something at work, but since the day I was called to go to my boss's

snort to myself and close my door. I go to my chair and throw myself into it, unable to think straight anymore. My life has become a mess, and a large part of it is the fault of a woman who doesn't even notice my looks at her. Ever since I saw her photo and her resume, when I looked for an employee at the company to be my personal assistant for a while, I find myself unable to control myself. Her brown eyes, which further highlight her dark skin, the color of sin, and a weak white smile, which she almost never shows, but her photo was my ally in this fact. I pick up the folder with her information again and look at the same photo that left me perplexed when I saw her for the first time. Since when did I see myself like this for a woman? Not even with Carla was it like this... I take a deep breath, leaving the photo on my desk and try not to scream another curse. At first, when I returned to Brazil, I had clear reasons and a right thing to do. But since life loves to play tricks, when I realized everything, my sister had already suffered an accident and lost part of her memory, and worse, I couldn't keep her from being close to her husband, who was my best friend, and was even capable of betraying her, also being the one to blame for the accident. If I returned, it was to tell my sister about what I found out about her husband, but in the end, a mess took over all of us. For now, we just hope that she gets better and her memory returns, so that she can decide what to do with her life. And me? For the first time, I want to be able to truly take care of my sister, truly protect her, stop being a selfish piece of shit. A soft knock on the door makes me sigh and I lean back against my chair. "Come in." The door opens, and the woman who drives me crazy enters. Doesn't she realize what she does to me? Ever since I saw her in person, I've been waiting for some look, some hint of interest. But on the contrary, Sophie seems completely oblivious to me. As if I were invisible to her. I always wonder why I never saw her on the trips I made to Brazil and on the many times I came to company parties or even meetings, but I could never really understand it. I know that if I had seen her, she would have caught my attention. - Mr. Lourenzinni, here are the papers you asked for. - she says, calmly as always, and places a folder on my desk. - Do you need anything else? - she asks, but doesn't look at me, looking slightly anywhere in the room, except at me. - Look at me, Sophie. - I ask, saying her name for the first time. I like the way it comes out of my lips. She blinks, I think she's surprised by my request, but then she lifts her chin and looks at me. Her brown eyes are a little hesitant, but I can't understand anything else about her. Besides, she's beautiful, completely. - Is there a problem, sir? - she asks and I shake my head. - You can leave. - I say, and she nods, leaving the room immediately. I wish I could have controlled myself, but I used my usual harsh tone with her. Why does she do this to me? It seems that at any moment I am near her, noticing her indifference, I will explode. I think that is why I cannot treat her well, at least wish her a good morning. This woman moves me in a way that no other woman has ever managed to do. But I do not know how to move on, at least not for now. For now, I am concentrating on work. However, knowing that the woman who drives me crazy is just a few steps away only makes everything worse. I am lost. Chapter 1 Months later Sophie I stare at the computer screen, while I try to control the frustration I feel. I read and reread what is written on the screen, and I feel like correcting the meaning of dictator in the dictionary itself. One of the meanings is missing: Daniel Lourenzinni. I have never been one to get stressed or even suffer because of something at work, but since the day I was called to go to my boss's office, that has changed. I immediately thought it was Mr. Gutterman, but as soon as they showed me to the room next to his and I looked into the clearest honey-colored eyes I had ever seen, I knew it wasn't him. Ever since I was a receptionist

Forced out of a mental hospital by her family, Nicole was made to marry Aidan-reputed to be disabled-in her sister's place. The public ridiculed their union: a so-called lunatic and a cripple. What they didn't know was that Nicole had a sharp mind, countless talents, and secret identities. High society sneered at her unruly behavior, but Aidan always took her side. "My wife is too fragile to hurt anyone," he'd say. But soon- "Sir, your wife destroyed someone's house!" "Let her." "Sir, your wife ran away!" He arrived at the airport with two adorable kids in tow, pleading, "Sweetheart, come back. You can punish me however you want." Nicole froze. Wait-where did these two adorable little troublemakers come from?

My wedding to Ethan Reed was just weeks away. After seven years, I was certain of our perfect future. Then, Ethan claimed "selective amnesia" from a head injury, forgetting only me. I tried to make him remember, until I overheard his video call. "Total genius move," he boasted to friends. His amnesia was a fake "hall pass" to pursue influencer Chloe Vance before our wedding. Heartbroken, I feigned belief. I endured his open flirting with Chloe and their taunting selfies. He mocked my distress, prioritizing Chloe's fake emergency. After an accident he caused, he abandoned me, injured, choosing to send Chloe to the hospital first. He even tried to cut me off financially. How could my fiancé be this cruel, calculating monster? His betrayal poisoned every memory. I felt like a fool for trusting such boundless cruelty. His audacity left me reeling. But I wouldn’t be his victim. Instead of breaking, a cold plan formed. I would shed my identity, become Olivia Carter. I would disappear, leaving him, my past, and his engagement ring behind forever, claiming my freedom.

After two years of marriage, Kristian dropped a bombshell. "She's back. Let's get divorced. Name your price." Freya didn't argue. She just smiled and made her demands. "I want your most expensive supercar." "Okay." "The villa on the outskirts." "Sure." "And half of the billions we made together." Kristian froze. "Come again?" He thought she was ordinary—but Freya was the genius behind their fortune. And now that she'd gone, he'd do anything to win her back.

"Ms. Crawford, it’s time for you to divorce Mr. Larsen and come home. You're the only heiress the Master's waiting for.” ~•~ For the sake of love, Amara accepted the arranged marriage with Tobias William Larsen. She did everything to gain her husband’s heart but when his old love returned, she realized that all her effort was all for naught. Tobias demanded a divorce on the night of their wedding anniversary, even at the price of threatening her. Heartbroken, she finally dropped all her illusions about him and returned home to be the heiress. The next time she met Tobias, they were no longer couples but opponents. "Mr. Larsen, should I remind you again? We've divorced." "Amara, that's the stupidest mistake I've ever made. Please come back to me."

Rejected by her mate, who had been her long-time crush, Jasmine felt utterly humiliated. Seeking solace, she headed to a party to drown her sorrows. But things took a turn for the worse when her friends issued a cruel dare: kiss a stranger or beg her mate for forgiveness. With no other choice, Jasmine approached a stranger and kissed him, thinking that would be the end of it. However, the stranger unexpectedly wrapped his arms around her waist and whispered in her ear, "You're mine!" He growled, his words sending shivers down her spine. And then, he offered her a solution that would change everything...

Sandra Hill, the long-lost real heiress of the Hill family, was shunned by her own kin. Instead of embracing her, they bestowed their affection upon an impostor. They even arranged her to marry a vegetative man in place of her so-called “sister”. Sandra sneered, refusing to put up with this humiliation, cut off ties with the Hill family immediately and ran into the flash marriage with Wesley Cooper, her unconscious billionaire husband. With her incredible medical skills, she defied the odds and revived him. Little did she expect that her husband spoiled her with all his love... A medical genius, a computer prodigy, a national treasure in painting, and a racing legend... Her husband revealed her various identities, leaving the Hill family regretful. Her father came pleading, "It's Dad's fault. Please come back." Her mother wept, "Mom will protect you from now on. Please come back." Even her five brothers knelt before he, begging for forgiveness. Yet, Sandra's smile held a hint of mockery as she vowed, “Never!”