ylon and Matilda to Waylo

ched across the grounds, tennis courts lined one side, and an infinity pool reflected the fading l

tion. Inside, the entrance hall rose two levels high, crowned with a glass ceil

dinner and helping her settle for the

right away. "Arthur, I was about to call you. You don't need to worry about th

s actually why I reached out. Some

the bathroom door opened

attention, and she turned, on

er still clung to his skin, sliding from his shoulders and tracing

ng, following the trail without thinking,

er Arthur was saying on the ot

spoke again, concern slippi

herself back to reality

her gaze to meet Waylon's. His eyes ha

was your room. I'll ask the b

a response, she mo

ylon's voice came from b

ummer, a chill ran down her s

realize this marriage is just

she had just seen refused to leave her

't answer r

owed was the faint shift

There's $5 million on that card. Use it to g

ybed near the window, a thin blanket pulled over him, his

sted on the tab

necessary. I

and cold, cut straight through her words. "You carry

glance, he turne

s tone left her mom

ruthless image people sp

d. The mattress caved under her weight, soft and inviting, whil

ht, but before she could switch it of

ng her hand back. Still slightly

t more easily than s

.

ng ar

he dining room just as Vivian, standing besi

im. "Good morning. I made breakf

omething about the scene unsettled him. "

on to Vivian. "Listen to him. You're here because you're family-someone we love and cherish.

ightly taken aback. Was t

and worked until nightfall, tending to Vincent and his family without complaint. They had t

, have a taste." She had carefully mixed in several ingr

em, she still needed to f

ere. She decided in that moment. Before she left,

her face lit up at once.

it. I'll make this f

s, Waylon's g

cure a lasting place i

r from the start. Maybe everything that

case, then she