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

aircase. Just as his foot touched the lowest step, C

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 app

polished oak, he moved. His hand shot out and

nd rough, carrying a warning that sent a chill d

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

orbidden zone had be

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

a blind woman-confusion, hurt, bewilderme

sharp, crystal clear, and burning with a cold, piercing intensity that pinned him where he stood.

t her focus instantly dissolve. Her irises drifted, rev

moved your things into the master suite on the second floor

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

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

though he were finally about

r lips. Her hand flew to her c

asterful p

hloe and her question disappeared. Panic and naked fear

loe's voice broke into

Isabelle up the stairs, he threw one fi

se trouble

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