a strange sense of dependence mixed inside her. Her v

rld outside doesn't know yet who's safe. And

. She realized the truth behind his words, everything

t to Jeffery Rothwell, the heir to the empire

unces Engagement; Empir

people were already setting dates. Clara's chest tightened, the engagement w

r, the cigarette in his hand glo

s. The step he had taken yesterday had been risky but necessary. Making the engagement public now secured not just the assets, but

sn't leaving anything to chance. He watched her silently, studying her e

as long as the public facade held. And if anyone tried to challenge that, Jeffery was more than capable of eliminating th

e. He smirked faintly to himself, it didn't matter. There were always contingencies, always new

didn't answer immediately. He raised his hand slowly, pointing at the window overlooking the city skyline. "You'll perform tonight," he

t this level of control surprised her. Still, she felt compelled to comply. Play the part of the perfect br

ng time to check her vitals and

the room, he knew eyes were watching, whispers carried by those who wanted leverag

much power was converging arou

. Shopping bags weighed down her arms, designer labels reflecting in the glass walls of the b

, however, was far from the parties or the shopping. She thought of Jeffery, of Clara, of the life that now belonged legally and publ

urned with groceries balanced in his

aid simply. Clara hesitated, still in small pains from her inj

He didn't care that she was recovering, that her body ached, or that she still felt weak. She was to perform the task

on the counter, she feels weak. She had learned to cook, bu