f a lavish villa located in one o

ghtly against him. Noreen didn't have enough strength to break free, but she

ne far more resolute. A cold determination filled her eyes. "If all you want is someone to

sharp gaze settled on her face. "Are you sayi

harpened his instincts. It didn't take m

his eyes. "

ression on Michael's face grew darker. A chill

and loosened his tie with practiced fingers. His face rev

as no warmth behind it. "If you won't fulfill your role as my wife, what purpose do you se

r hands into fists. She re

t his memory, their first night together had appeared to be the result of too

nt his life getting whatever he wanted, yet he ended up falling int

ugh that he couldn't completely ignore it. That was the only reason he eventually agreed to marry her. Even so, Michael had neve

e turned even colder. "The prenuptial agreement couldn

e get a divorce, and the

e exactly do you plan to go after leaving

elf. Your stepbrother is addicted to gambling. As for your stepfather, he's always lookin

such a bad thing. Your stepfather could sell you off again for a decent am

he quickly gathered herself and kept her expression calm.

he was still very young, and she spent her childhood struggling through poverty. To keep Noreen in school an

ally came to an end, she planned to take her mother and leave Zafield forever. Although she knew her time was l

had spent two years together, and he understood her better than most people di

Eventually, he gave a slow nod that almost seeme

of a sudden?" he asked. "Is this because of Hayley? Or did you someho