AR

reatest mistake in my entire life. I stared at my signature at the bottom

and it sounded like a judge delivering a life sentence. He didn't

ing is legal and binding. One year, Scarlet. You have to play the per

t, the pain of my stepmother's betrayal still burning in my throat. I had sacr

rtbreak. He didn't even look at

he said coldly, his words clipping through

n't even know what to do. I don't know

ace. "My mother will be watching your every move. If you slip up, if you show even a second

of fear in my throa

an in a black suit was waiting at the far end of the living room. She was carryin

r head slightly. "Good morning, Mrs. C

names, the faces, and the history of everyone attending tonight. She will fix your clothes, your hair, a

from the window. The scent of expensive cologne and woodsmoke washed ove

my chin and tilting my face up harshly so I had

ting over my lips. "There will be cameras everywhe

wrist and walked out of the penthouse without

laid the garment bag across the back of the sofa and opened her tablet. "We need to memorize t

hands trembling as Chloe handed me th

and agonizing physical adjustments. Chloe was effic

sharp grey eyes. "He is Julian's biggest investor. Smile warmly, but do not sp

aced woman. Her eyes looked right through the

ly," Chloe warned gently, though her eyes remained glued to her

ture slumped, Chloe would cough lightly, and I would force my spine

hed my hair so hard my scalp stung, and they applied l

was time f

ery curve, but it felt like a beautiful suit of armor. I looked in the

ans and oversized sweaters to the hospital

Chloe announced, looking

ulian was waiting by the door. He wore a perfectly tailored black tuxed

second, his dark eyes lingered on my f

er your training, Scarlet. If anyone asks about our quick marri

re like granite beneath the expensive fabric. "I won't fa

hick it was hard to breathe. Julian stared out the window, completely igno

, the flashing lights hit the tinted windows. I could hear the mu

est. I couldn't do this.

w my terror, but instead of offering comfor

ded in a low, dangerous whi

of the crowd washed over us, and Julian step