declaration. "Miss, are you certain? I'm a cri

tead, she countered, "Would you eve

is tone wa

replied without hesitation. "If you'r

face, Damian found no reason to re

ing that had nearly been cal

ore the minister and be

of disbelief washed over Evelina. She h

ting over, right

an pushing him toward the exit when a thought

ackwood,"

en. "Damian Blackwood?

elina's face, and a mockin

rried the city's most famous cripp

y knew the story of

childbirth, and his fat

ushed his legs, leaving him what the

heir, Damian was pushed even further i

anor Blackwood, kept him from being cast out onto

an in her right mind would marry a wre

son. This woman was in for a rude awakening when

o see resentment

kinship. They were the same-both

u, I don't regret marrying you. I was just thinking... we're husband and wif

? I hope yo

didn't believe

could keep up the act once she re

ulled up in f

go," he

taking me?" E

ried. Isn't that what marri

me

omething painful i

d to be one. A beautiful house she had car

Everything she owned in that hous

ind made up. "It might take a while. Can I get your phone

ride?" Damian ra

t myself." She didn

hanged contact details with her, th

pushed open the door to wh

oth, the art on the walls, the two potted plants by the window. Every d

ld purpose. She tore it all down-the tablecloth, the

ew life. The past wa

ento and was furiously packing her bags when

shattering. "Evelina!" he shouted, his voice cra