s fierce, her nails digging into my flesh. Her eyes, usually so calculat

s cold, my voice devoid of emotion. "He ha

l

ng, a burning sensation spreading across my face. My mother glared at

seeped into my heart. I remembered another time, three

shb

"I have proof," he'd purred, "of your mother's affair. A scandal that

off your engagement. In return, I will provide t

ly afloat. His shoulders, usually so broad and confident, were slumped

m, then so be it. My love for him was absolute. I would

said hateful things, things that would cut him deep, pushing him away, making him beli

see him again, not like

Flas

t me out. "Celina," he' d said, his eyes kind, "I understand the di

oderick, even if it was under false pretenses. Initial

sum from Broderick's family. It was an arrangement, a tra

had hated me ever since. He believed I had orchestr

he in my abdomen flaring up. I popped a painkiller, dry swa

I saw

catching the harsh hospital light, was Kacey Cott

ng to escape, to avoid the inevitable con

oice, sweet yet s

ding together, but I kept walkin

htly on my arm. Her eyes, usually so kind, now held a glint of mal

Get lost, Kacey," I said, my voice cold,

aning closer, her breath warm against my ear. "He' s been here all nig

se. I had known for a long time. But hearing it from her, delive

my face would crack. "Then you two can discuss

rce you. He' s going to keep you tied to him, just to make you miserable." Her eyes sparkled

eatrical whisper. "Did you know... he' s never even

urred. She was insinuating I had been with Ju

y!" I snarled, pushing her away wit

eigned shock, met mine just as she reached the ground. She l

eyes scanning the scene. He saw Kacey on the floor, her face pale, her lips trem

were colder than the Arctic ic