ORA

sband and wife; You ma

my veil. He yanked it aside with impatient fingers and ca

see that I belonged to him. His arms wrapped around me, strong and unyielding, pulling me closer until there

oat felt groggy and dry, and my eyes were so puffy I couldn't even open them all the way. I would kill for a glass of water, but I would die before asking

inking slowly, and felt the du

ck broke t

d just as the door opened and a maid

e poor woman didn't do anything against

nce you came" she spoke with a

ed. There was a piece of steak, mashed potatoes, and salad with a glass of juice. I sighed a

t even here to receive me when I rolled through the black, wrought-iron

at least she was the only one who cared enough to show up. My own fathe

e maid replied

, jaw ti

ring something. I rummaged through my

Ma'am". The maid continued, sa

haled. "T

ou be in his office after

mbled making her g

did you say" she said

e smile. "I said

know," She spoke as she turned around to leave the

e shook. "You l

he said softly wit

own the hallway, leaving me alone with the

was ho

coming, I needed strength. My father never summoned me for anything good,

imple;a white silk camisole and dark jeans. The ma

rt; Everything gleamed;marble floors, framed art, high ceilin

cked

father's deep

Heavy furniture. Polished wood. Power soaked into every surface. My father s

n't lo

at f

ven f

ly. "I was told you

s, cold and sharp, cuttin

o get married to Ethan ..just like you f

it harder t

th caug

r business. The Martins are powerful, established. An alliance with them w

oice cracked, exposed and hu

than the ice in his glass. "I only allowed the relations

hard. My sto

didn't care.

e desk in a rhythm too controlled, too deliberate,

art s

ment?" I

f the nearest chair.

d back,

too calmly. "Sit down."E

d Don't give him

d my g

oice thin but s

nt as if my defiance was the w

," he r

getting

altzed into the room with

rried to wh