on's

every Sunday dinner since I was seven years old. The pl

ring I'd given her an hour ago. Five carats, emerald cut, wor

h it. You're supp

know that's theater." She dropped her han

y-six and terrifying. You smile, agree w

n love? We met three days ago w

disaster became our story, how conflict revealed compatibility." I

urbingly goo

" I pulled up to the mansion. "Remember, she

d it. Eleanor stood there in a purple

eeks, then turned to Olivia. "And the in

and. Eleanor examined

rms with Olivia. "Come, dear. Let's leave Ashton to his brandy. I wa

r into the sitting room

*****

ia's

tos. I spotted a young Ashton in several frames, smiling,

a? Wine? Something stronger?"

fine, th

rised me. "So. Tell me the truth. D

reaching for t

neuvering." She sat across from me. "He needs a wife to secure hi

unded. "Mrs

She sipped her sherry. "I'm the one who suggested you, reme

wanted

d of worshiping him." She set down her glass. "Every woman he's dated wa

elf. "I didn't phrase

account. That's rare." She leaned forward. "So he

t under

himself in work and forgot how to be human." Eleanor's expression softened. "I don't care if this mar

ow. I barel

ple who've been kissing his ass for years." She smiled. "That t

ate and angry

m going to tell you something I've never told Ashton. His mo

e like ice wate

ared more about quarterly earnings than his own wife." Eleanor's voice cracked. "I watched Ashton become exact

but I can't fix him. T

. "One year is enough time to show someone there's another w

ped in, his face carefully n

nted." Eleanor stood. "Dinner is ready. James is a

e?" Ashton's

re daughter-in-law." Eleanor swept pa

me his arm. "

kno

ws w

ated it." I kept my voice low. "Why didn't

rigid. "That's not

ion apparently. You let

thing to do with our cont

ne." I pulled my arm free. "I'm not going into dinner

ned a co

ady broke." I hea

herine-she was unhappy. My father neglected her for work. One night when I was tw

ce was blank, but his

did it

o she used to be. That she hoped I'd be stronger than my fathe

hto

at this family destroys people who aren't strong enoug

shoulders. "But I signed the contract. So let's go

. "You're toughe

worse than a

't met my

at at the head of the table, reading a financ

Chen. My fiancée." Ash

e the same shade as Ashton's but comp

rected. "Nice to mee

pected better judgment from you. This is obvio

or took her seat. "They're

nt timing." James turned to m

ine under the table,

ything," I said carefu

r. "Let me be clear, Miss Chen. I don't care what arrangement you've made with my son. But if you emb

nor looked furious. Ashton

y as a weapon because you don't know how to connect with people like a human being. I'v

, take me home. I'm done be

r before Ashton caugh

did you turn out even remo

He grabbed his keys. "But you were magn

orming. I mean

e opened the door. "Come on. Let's get o

appeared at the driver's window,

dinner this family has had in twenty years. Ol

side, leaving us i

just approve of me tel

since I met him, he laughed. "Welcome to the Black