torn from the pages of a dark fairy tale. Chloe pushed Alistair's wheelchair through the grand entrance hall, the wheels silent on the polish

e legal and public relations machinery had worked through the night, silencing witnesses, issuing carefully worded statements, and ensuring the narrative was rewritten befor

is hand. "A toast!" he boomed, his voice echoing in the vast space. "To my nephew, Alis

ison toasted was more a triumph of will and carefully administered medi

nd speaking of family, there are two very specia

leading two small children by the hand. A boy and a gi

Carlisle," Harrison announced, his eye

n cold. There had been no mention of children.

," Harrison said, his voice d

hostile glare that he aimed directly at Chloe. The girl, Aurora, was smaller, hiding behind

r's shoulders tense under her han

er gently, a silent mes

children. She knelt, the silk of her dress pooling around her, bringing hers

ot and kick it, hard, into the pristine white lace of h

omen in the crowd titt

is chin jutting out in defiance. "You

face. Her eyes, a moment ago war

yell. She d

her voice a silken thread that cut through the whispers, "your father did 'buy' me. And in do

eyes now flicking to Harrison, "doesn't deserve to speak at all. Perhaps,

flickered in the boy's defian

ing at her dress, her small face streaked with te

erate plea in her eyes. Something in Chloe's chest, a place she thought long de

nity. He pointed an accusing finger at Chloe. "She threatened him! S

eir expressions turning from amusement to censure

her dress and meticulously dabbed at the muddy footprint on her gown, her movements de

triumphant, accusatory gaze without a flicke