in front of her apron. Her eyes were filled with helpless pity, and Chloe found it even more

taircase. Just as his foot touched the lowest step,

lia

e a mask of impatience, yet his tone was unexpectedly

one hand reaching out as though searching for the familiar support of the banister. It

he watched her a

polished oak, he moved. His hand shot out and

and rough, carrying a warning that sent a chill

xcuse. "Isabelle will be staying on the third floor. It's quieter

forbidden zone had

uite, blessed with the finest view and the most sunlight, once the sacred place closest to his heart. But now he had given

a blind woman-confusion, hurt, bewilderme

mfort, perhaps even shame-passing through his eyes befo

e moved your things into the master suite on the second flo

rrival for at least a week, methodically erasing Chloe from their

e had to ask it. She had to hear him say it one more time. G

do you

er, genuinely too shocked to speak. Even Isabelle's calm expression faltered for the briefest moment. He stu

though he were finally abo

er lips. Her hand flew to her

asterful p

Chloe and her question disappeared. Panic and naked fea

loe's voice broke into

Isabelle up the stairs, he threw one fi

use troub

a perfectly timed, fabricated medical emergency.

end of the third-floor corridor. It felt as though all the strength had been drained from her body,

She collided with the dining table, now completely cold, and a pla

le rushed forward and cau

the magnificent crystal chandelier shattered into thousands of glittering fragments of light in her sight. In that moment of despa

es widening at the astonishing discovery. She sai