iled trap. Addie drove her modest Honda down the long, gravel driveway, the crunch of the stones u

he silence that followed

Hurley's low voice

nestly, her hand froz

rm and strong, engulfing hers completely. The simple touch sent a wa

h you,"

deep breath, and

ing hers. Before they could ring the bell, the massive oak door wa

iving room, and Addie's stoma

e a thunderous shade of red. Her stepmother, Hortense, was perched on t

with a cup of coffee in his hand, was Jennings. He was d

ugly darkened his features. Then his gaze shifte

ng to his feet. "What is the meaning

pping with false sympathy. "She's clearly had some kind of break

expression one of magnanimous pity. "Addie, darling. It's alright. I know you

f him, made her blood boil. She dropped Hurley's

another woman, Jennings! You

sunderstanding," he hissed. "And you're th

, his voice shaking with rage. "Right now. You wil

out. Not her pain, not the

oice quiet but firm.

ning an alarming shade of red. "Jennings is about to become CEO of Hayes Corp. And you publicly e

e added, her voice syrupy sweet. "A couple rises and

eep her voice steady. "I wasn't making wild accusat

shifting into one of long-suffering patience. "I came here today to clear the air, n

rry your daughter. I truly do. But how can we proceed with the wedding when she doesn't tru

rely veiled. And

ayes Corp pulled its funding, Sterling wou

e shook with barely contained fury. "Right now.

e's nerves. "Jennings has supported this family for years. Without him, where woul

at the woman who had inserted he

that followed had been ruled an accident, but Addie had always known the truth. Her stepmother's scheming had

need anyone else t