raise our glasses

xpression was unreadable, but there was something in his gaze-a glint of app

heir hands. The soft clink of crystal broke the stillness as glasses were lifted.

nsion, turning the moment into something more

it tilted upward. The path ahead was still shrouded in uncertainty, but for now, she had d

on filled the air, but Nina's attention was drawn to movement nearby. Mrs. Whitlock, her posture rigid and her strides

r abrupt departure left her rooted in place, her thoughts racing. Had she s

er thoughts, Frederick and h

utting through her spiraling confusion. "It'

ined smile. "Uncle. Salome. It

sses, and she obliged, the gesture feeling mechanic

nd, relying on the lines she had rehearsed so thoroughly that they

of family politics. If she hadn't stepped into Adelaide's role so quickly after her death, Jude's family might have been next in line to take center stage. His strong personality and popu

ortlessly with everyone, showing no preference for class or status. He was, undeniably, a peop

move." He gestured toward a far corner of the room. "There he is, with his group of frien

group of people, laughing easily, his charisma practically radiating from him

He was with them. The wolves. Lily and that

he was seeing. What was Jude doing with the wolves? Not just cas

tanding firmly with those she trusted? Shouldn't he have liked who she

ng with people who should hav

-Adelaide's AI, her digital shadow-warned her about this? If Ju

n, just as she was trying to process the scene, his eyes met hers. His already bright smile widened, transforming

spreading wide as he approached. "N

ay. Her mind raced to come up with a response.

e managed, striving for casualness. "They told me you

guarded. "And did they also tell you I'm plotting with them

her shock far too real. Marry Axel? Adelaide was engaged

ick and Salome exchanged puzzled glances, their expressions mirroring their

r gaze drifted toward the Graves table. Axel was there, his family engaged in lively

was watchin

r practiced demeanor and straight into the truth she was hiding. Her heart raced

in the way his gaze lingered-heavy, unrelenting. He was

odded and smiled in all the right places, but she wasn't fully present. Her mind kept circli

harp, scanning her for cracks in her facade. They left her no space to breathe, no chance t

r turn. Sweat prickled at her skin, exhaustion and anxiety pooling inwa

nk of collapse, a deep male

but time's up. I ne