Ethan walked Emily back to her hotel, the air thick with unspoken tension. Au

, her eyes searching his face as they stopped outside

. For a moment, Emily thought he wouldn't answer, that he'd shut her out like he had before. B

his jaw clenched, the words hard to get out. "But I found out she was trying

ng with shock. Sabotage? Control? The

ly above a whisper, her eyes loc

urora wanted power, influence. She thought if she married me, s

ike a puzzle falling into darkness. No wonder Et

ily asked, her voice soft,

ldn't trust her, not after what she'd done. But she's been trying to get b

ity lights blurring around them. Emily's hear

reaching out to touch his face, her

uch. "Don't be sorry, Emily. I need you to understand. I need you to know t

prayer. Emily's heart soared, her love for him s

oice barely audible, her lips brushi

leaving only the two of them, lost in a

e feeling that they were being watched, that Aur

eemed to loom over them,

ked on hers, burning with intensity. "I'll never let h

e air, a vow, a warnin

still racing with emotion, she knew one thing –

rt still racing from Ethan's kiss, her lips still tingling from his touch. She couldn't shake th

e on the bed, her name scribbled on it in elegant handwriting. A shiv

er fingers trembling sligh

Eiffel Tower at

ng with possibilities. Why the secrecy? Why

s screamed at her to ignore the note, to stay saf

ed to darken, the shadows lengthening, twisting. The t

ot, her eyes scanning the crowd, searching for Etha

reading across her face l

ed, her voice husky, seduc

rring around them. Emily's instincts screamed at

emanded, her voice firm, her e

with triumph. "Oh, Ethan's not coming

warning, a promise. Emily's heart san

ily knew she was in danger,

hisper that refused to be sealed. Emily's heart pounded in her chest, her mind raci

r voice firm, her hands clenched into

dator savoring its prey. "I mean, Ethan's not coming, darling.

g with shock, her heart aching with pain. No, it

g root, spreading like a dark stain through her mind. Emi

ily asked, her voice low, her to

ne. "I'm talking about the truth, darling. The truth that Ethan's been hiding from you. He's u

ion blurring, her legs wakey. She stumbled back, her hand reaching out for sup

cat's grin. "You see, Emily, Ethan's not the man you think he is. He's

urring, like fireflies in the night. She felt like she was drowni

her eyes gleaming with triumph, her smi

r voice husky, seductive, "but you'll lose. Ethan a

ration of war. Emily's heart pounded, her mind racing, he

in the web of lies, her heart

was just a pawn in a much larger gam

aming with triumph. "Enjoy the ride, Emily," she whispered, disappearing in

tears in the night. Emily stood alone, her heart broken

at the edge of the tower, his eyes locke

y's world crumbling, and Ethan's