, heavy silence. The only sound w

deep breath, his chest expanding as he shifted his

of his tailored suit jacket and p

a, Darron dropped down onto one knee r

e, custom-made pear-cut diamond engagement ring. The facets caught the h

ngs have been hard. But I love you. If you are willing to come home

art. A single, perfect tear rolled down her cheek. Sh

riously, desperate to capture the "forgivene

his chest. His jaw was clenched tight, and a dark, violent shado

ct moment she had broken down in tears of gratitude. She had let

d, she felt nothing but a

before Darron coul

alm connected with the velvet

ed hard against the far wall. The impact popped the ring loose. The ma

e air out of the room. The

suspended in the air. The blood completely draine

t him, her eyes bur

id, her voice ringing out in cle

save our relationship, Darron. You

d forward, her hands reaching out to grab Elena

ed Haylee's wrist between two fingers with an expression of absolute

dden pocket sewn into the waistband of her dress, pulled out a sterile antibacterial wipe, and began t

renade. The reporters smelled blood. A dozen camera lenses instantly pivoted away fro

ve out slightly, and her entire body began to

Watch your mouth, Elena! Don't make up insane lies just

w about you explain the credit card charges at

d in his throat. He realized, with a sickening drop in his

ine of his jaw relaxed, and the corner of his mouth

. She looked directly into the

valuating all corporate partnerships w

he stepped forward, shoving her

her path. The sheer force of her ang

rd, reaching out to grab

completely, his broad shoulders shielding Elena's exit. Johnathan loo

or, down the hallway, and stepped into the waiting ele