enne

fehouse just as the sky tore open

in heavy sheets. I took what little shelter I could find under the a

figure approaching with a purpose in his stride. I

t of hope. I instinctively shifted my

tite figure darted out from the side

hint of hesitation. Christian did not flinch or push her away. Instead, he made a subtle motion to adjust

oice cutting through the sound of the rain. "Lilith

mage searing itself into my mind.

n had barely touched his food at the banquet. Now I understood

ed surprise, acting as if she had only just no

at him through her lashes with wide, innocent eyes. "We can r

vering for theatrical effect. "I can jus

ction. Her submissive act struck a chor

d his tone was firm and unwavering. "I am a man of my

nt glance at me. "But what should

out a word of warning, he tossed the

Leaving himself exposed to the storm, Christian gra

hat cut through the night. A second later, Christian laughed with her. Their sha

d the cold seeped through the thin leather of

a rainy day four years ago, Christian had said those very same words to me. He h

he umbrella. Slowly, with the movements of a mac

ouse alone, my head bowed

ng with another alert-Lilith had posted a new photo to the Family network. I would not

silent penthouse and stri

scalding shower, I checked my secured ph

ncrypted social channel. The first th

ruly protects you, you do not fe

below. "Who is your new pro

ied a minute la

pression at the scr

If they were willing to run through the storm

edge of the b

at night, breaking the unspoken rule we had set years a

bedroom. He had changed into a perfectly tailored new shirt, but the scent hit me ins

my heart, which had begun to race, then picked up the transfe

to reconsider this rare opp

rom my hands and tore them to shreds with a violent mo

ble to comprehend h

ou targeting Lilith?" he demanded loudly. "Why are you whispering poison

misplaced, righteous anger. "Do you get a si

Lilith," I countered, my voice eerily calm. "Show me proof that I

o the Consigliere were rejected. She was severely reprimanded, and you were the only

endless arguments I had prepared died in my throat. Those ledgers were doctore

me, and his tone left no room for argument. "Clear

our years together in this life, do you s

ways helped our own. Christian himself had his financial plans

s pride refusing to yield. "People cha

to you too, right?" I retorted, my g

rage. "Vivienne!" he shouted. "You have become arrogant and unreasonable

d off into the study, slamming the door be

in the spraw

gnant, and I had desperately wanted to keep the child. But Christian had manipulated me into terminating it.

m sorry," he had sworn to me then, his eyes brimming with a since

never let you suffer or be wronged. No matter what happens, your safety a

ay, he had broken me multiple times. His sacred vow, w

ad sacrificed our child for his ambition, and he had repaid m

on the nightstand with a message-o