the room's dynamic. In the past, Chaya had always referred to him respectfully as 'Douglass,' maintaining a carefully constructed boundary of familial

nail for the right to call him hers. She had demanded his time, his loyalty, his love, only to be met with cold ind

ed, he stepped behind her, his massive hands covering hers on the handle. It was an incredibl

e was flushed a deep, triumphant red as they sliced through the pink frosting together. It was a scene straight out

raspberry filled the room, mingling wi

r rose. She turned and nudged Douglass gently. "Douglass, be a gentlem

ya was playing the gracious hostess, proving to the room

making him the absolute focal point of the room. He seemed to debate rejecting the

e reached Evangelina, he extended his arm, holding the cake out

, his voice laced with an arrogant ex

lent emotions that used to define her existence. She didn't reach for the plat

rying clearly over the hushed whispers of the crowd. "I'v

mediately rolled their eyes,

gh to be heard. "Always has to ruin the mood. She

But he found nothing. She was a placid, unreadable lake. He slowly lowered the plate, his expression tightening in

ly disciplined and rarely drank to excess, began downing glasses of scotch with alarming speed. Whenever

uglass was seated on a leather sofa, his head leaning back

guests with a long-suffering, affectionate smile. "He really overdid it tonight, trying to

n sympathy, prais

ouglass's arm over her shoulder, preparing to leave. She lo

with us?" Chaya asked, her voice

her arms into her t

oung heir sneered. "You made Chaya's life a living hell for years. She's the true daughter of the Campos family, and