ing spectacle a world away from the icy landscape of her heart. She opened her clutch and took out a compact, dabbing concealer under

a barrage of camera flashes momentarily blinded her. She held her head high, a polite, practice

he air hummed with the low thrum of powerful people making powerful conversation.

d on the one person

inging to him with a proprietary air, was Aida Jefferson, a rising actress whose star was fueled more by her social media

, but she forced herself to look away,

ctress's perfectly made-up face. She whispered something in Aloysius's ear, and then

false sweetness. "What a surprise to see you here.

sk. He looked at Izora as if she were a pi

nal check from Aloysius's account. She pushed it towards Izora. "Aloysius asked me to g

ir eyes wide with hungry curiosity

ida. "Miss Jefferson," she said, her voice quiet but carrying

he lifted her chin. "I'm

ne on the marriage certificate. And as long as I am Mrs. Lawson, the

"first-in-line heir," her eyes flick

ace. She was speechles

ntrol your... companion, Mr. Lawson. Not just

icial, unrecognized status. A collective, muffled gasp went through the onlooke

lunge, but a single, warning gla

h an unreadable expression. She picked up a flute of champagne from a passing tray, her fingers trembling sligh

he saw him. He was on a secluded terrace overlooking the park, leaning against the stone ba

chest. She pushed through the Fre

, his name a despera