around her body. The morning air felt sharp against her damp cheeks. Her feet

explain everything. To tell him it w

her stood there waiting, arms crossed over hi

er voice shaking. "Pleas

cutting her off. "Your siste

, mouth ope

d, his words slow and harsh. "Your mother

was breaking inside her. "Please... it's not

ar your lies," he s

icker of softness. But he turned away, walking back into th

the lock echo

he city felt too big and too cold around her. She hugged herself tight

sten. Maybe he

ng inside. The smell of strong cologne and sweet perfume

?" she cal

walked further

mach twisted painfully. Her hands shook as she picked i

ushed open hi

d, half-covered by the sheets. Vela lay beside him, her blonde hair

. She let out a small laugh. "Why are you s

with tears as she stumbled back from the door, then turned and

with boxes and bags scattered near the gate. Her clothes

side them, looking uncomfortable. Sh

id said quietly. "I saved what I could b

st dropped it. She wanted to scream, to collapse on the ground and cr

. Her feet carried her down familiar streets, past grocery stores and b

's apa

within seconds. Carden stood there, eyes wide when he sa

." he wh

kly and pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly against his chest. Sh

into her hair. "I've got

~

e humming to herself. Her phone buzzed beside her. She glanced at t

el

with Miss Vela Calderon ?

Unless you're a debt collector, t

ntinued smoothly. "I'm calling to let you know M

o the bed. "I... excuse me? Meeting? W

night," Julius said calmly. "We have you

n it clicked - the setup. The man Th

nd cold fear at the same time. She sat

id quickly, switching to her s

er reflection in the mirror. "Oh, Thi

estaurant. She wore a pale pink dress that hugged her curves, her hair curled perfectly over her

finally. His dark

night," he said in a low voice. "The

do I," she said softly, pretending to look embar

ickered in his eyes. He's suspicious, she real

holder onto the table. "If you need anythi

I don't want money. I... I thi

rowing slightly. Then h

ressed her back against it, grinning at the ceiling.

t into a wife,"

d again. An ema

ment Confirmatio

d. She had been appointed to a position

the crystal chandelier. Darian's name po

it without a

g her phone onto the bed and walking towards her vanity mirror.