with his expert acting, the sheer, catastrophic disadvantage of the situation was making h

deliberately used his formal initials instead of the affectionate

epping forward, but the w

agreed to rig the draw? Not only would it be deeply, unforgivably humiliating for both families, but his cousins would tear him apart like wolves sensing blood. His father had eloped with his

facade was on the verge

drawled with a lazy, mocking smirk, glancing at J. C. with undisguised contempt. "Once she and

oice cut through the li

o few words actually acknowledging th

usement, silently agreeing wi

ess. "When should we get the certificate? I am flying to Euro

suggested calmly, unfazed

utely

sure. "Why tomorrow? What's the rush? Marriage isn't something you just rush into like

the sheer weight of his authority silenced the room. "S

m not mentally prepared for this!" Dyla

th a cold, unyielding stare. "

snapped it shut, utterly defeated by

but laugh softly. This was her lively, dramatic, wonderfully annoying br

tely patted Dylan's arm, then s

her, his gray eyes unreadable. "Tomor

a long shadow. He was devastatingly handsome, radiating a severe, unappr

ing matters at the company. I'l

re wasn't entirely rude. However, Arthur was still reeling from hearin

ents. They simply couldn't fathom where their flawl

aled. Certificate f

g the Davenports off, J. C. and his parents kept glancing back at A

ed on J. C., then shifted to his mother, Susann

t share her eyes, her nose, or her jawline. But he was

nport blood. He was the illegitimate so

lindly agreed out of love. The irony was sickening. Susannah had later forced Aurore to raise Summer's child, passing him off as Aurore's own.

frowned deeply. Her eyes seemed filled with a moc

n't the time or place, he swallowed his words and resentfull