their confrontation had never happened, leaving for the office early and returning late. Kae

ual when Dane broke the quiet. He dabbed his lips wit

l, as if discussing the weather. "Your parents

e looked up, her heart beginning to pound a sl

ned by Dane are he

visit us, of course. I've already had the guest

ould never expose his betrayal in front of her parents. Her adoptive mother, Elizabeth, had a w

that?" she asked

innocence. "I thought you'd be pleas

ted cruelty of it

good spirits. But Elizabeth looked fragile, her face pale and drawn. Kaelynn rushed to embrace them, burying

eted Richard with a firm handshake and a discussion about the stock

portrait of happy family life. Dane was attentive and charming, placing a piece of salmon on Kae

in the Browning family's struggling publishing house. "We

lligent eyes moved between Kaelynn and Da

n the study, Kaelynn walked with her mother in the

surprisingly strong. "Are you alright, K

sy lately," Kaelynn lied, the wo

ce her, her gaze searching. "Is Dane treati

e details, but she sensed the fracture in the facade. S

t that actress, Candyce Smith. Don't let anyone take advantag

concern was a stark contrast to the icy landscape of he

"No matter what happens, the Browning family is a

e master bedroom together. The moment the door clicked shut, the smiles

stood by the window, staring out into the darkness.

the bathroom door, a new idea began to form in her mind. A cold, au

very performance to get