fore she moved. Finally, she picked up her single, worn suit

n the first do

d grey. It was as cold and severe as Alaric Wynn himself. B

to a walk

t season's womenswear. Dresses, blouses, trouser

n't tou

pajamas from her suitcase and w

e feeling of the day. In the steam-fogged mirror, she saw a faint

iliation burne

idn't

own old jeans and a sweater. She needed to do somethi

n, preparing breakfast. The wom

What can I g

-fitting. "Just black coffee, ple

tart her "work," when the front door's keypad beeped i

ressed in a private school uniform, s

even wait for me las

m when she saw Alaina. Her blue eyes, so like Al

the casual entitlement, the sheer energy

he coffee cup in her hands. Then, a slow smile of realizat

ull of dawning comprehensi

there was no malice in i

o respond. Was that how

next to Alaina, leaning in conspiratorially. "Don't mind him.

ck out

k it. "Alai

er. A mischievous glint appeared i

ough the thick layer of tension that had env

d from his study. He'd c

you shouting ab

a. "You've been hiding a wife! You got a new bride an

laina. "Eat breakfast." It was an order, but his t

uestions and chatter. She wanted to know what Alaina

aina was an archite

s so cool! Do you ha

r head. "Not at the moment." Her career had been

darted around, and then she pulled out her

the phone to Alaina. It showed t

heard the owner went bankr

was a classic pre-war building, beautifully proportioned. She had walke

rfect," she

number. "It's me, Addie Wynn. Buy the 'Morningstar Gallery' in SoHo.

to protest, but Addie had already hun

offee. He hadn't intervened, just watched Alaina's

assistant delivered a file. Addie snatc

present! You'r

It was like a dream. She was being forced to adapt to a world built on wealth and