lia

't Garrick, but the cold

but with a new, almost imperceptible note of respect. "Mr. S

y voice firm, crossing my arms over

and handed it to me. Garrick's name was glowin

he smooth metal as I brought it to

ened, I paused. Beneath his usual layer of ice, I caught something else. A tight, strained freq

eath slightly uneven. "You have to play

ion in his voice told me the stakes were higher than I could comprehend. He was c

id evenly. "

ne wen

ipped me into a simple, elegant white dress that probably cost more than my car. The woman

ess power. As I stepped into the grand living room, a sea of hostil

om immediately. His hand settled on the small of my back, his touch he

ging with absolute authority. "I'd like

he was stunning, but her eyes were as hard and cold as diamonds. She l

with sweet poison. "I don't believe we've been told which family you come from, dear. Y

, chimed in. "Honestly, brother, your taste is getting more and more... uni

ction of seeing me bleed. I kept my spine rigidly straight, lifting my chin to meet Matilda's condescending gaze. I didn't shri

Garrick to

l and dismissive. He wasn't defending me; he was shuttin

le grip. Her manicured nails dug sharply into my skin. "Come now, child. Tell

aughter. She was painting me as a puc

k, Garrick's voice cut through the ha

ning his large frame slightly in front of me.

p the grand staircase, leaving a wake of stunned silence.

tonight," he said,

my voice hard and unwavering, cutting th

this? You're 'Mrs. Sinclair' now. The media is watching. If you go back to your litt

of a freight train. He was right

ake you home for the night. He'll pick you up at eight a.m. tomorr

was no choice at all.

relief washed over me. I thanked him, walking briskly up the walkway. I unlocked the fr

ing I had told my mother I was out

rk hallway, the smile sl

dfather clock in the living room echoed in the dar

s too