he greeted in a tone that barely concealed his amusement. "I don't believe w

t together surged to the forefront of her mind. How was it possible for him to stand before her,

her, a hint of suspicion flickering in her

r she felt. "Know each other?" she repeated, her tone measur

e dripping with feigned innocence. "I have to confess, your face does lo

est. How could he pretend not to recognize her? The six years they spent tog

s laced with coolness. "It's quite remar

wing more palpable. "Perhaps you moved in different cir

ly can be," she replied, her gaze unwavering. "

mona. "Well, it was lovely meeting you all," he declared, "Shall we go, dar

"We have a charity function to attend. We'll talk la

ered and hurt. It was all too much to process. Before she coul

e ready before I'm back" he said and wa

her way up the stairs. She suddenly stopped in her tracks when she noticed a door to one of the room

ked in as their gaze locked and she could see her

emplated approaching her but the t

t?" Yazmin managed to say as

business!" she snapped turnin

efully. "I'm not sure why you hate me so much, bu

e! Dad isn't here so you don't have to pretend to be all goody-two-shoes. All step mom's are terrible and I h

as she trying to be there for Ayra? She should never have tried to comfort her! She was only Blaine's wife by arrangement, she didn'

ped when she realized Ayra had started sobbing. Slowl

ered gently, "Ay

n't want to go back to boarding school

ughter to a boarding school? He knew Blaine wasn't a g

mming in her eyes. "Please... can you t

I'll do everything I can to make him recon

the corners of her lips as

h, she wasn't sure how she would talk to Blaine because she was in no positio

getting ready for the function because Blain

ric flowed gracefully, hugging her figure in all the right places before cascading into a floor-length sk

d at the venue, a sprawling mansion nestled amidst manicured gardens and shimmering fountains. The grandeur was undeni

hand, and Yazmin placed hers in his, their fingers intertwining.

ight is important. Be

in silence, her gaze locked with his for a mom

n't belong here. She watched from afar as Blaine freely interacted with others and at that

ide and grabbed his arm, pulling him to one corner o

ice tinged with irritation. "Yazmi

people telling her to mind her business. Even if she was Blaine's

tion. "It is my business when you're

owing sharper. "I'm her father

amant. "And what about what she wants? H

nce wearing thin. "I don't owe yo

d exasperation. "She's your daughter, Mr Si

with sarcasm. "Oh, and you su

are, because unlike you, I actuall

int crumbling. "You think you can waltz in h

solve solid. "I won't stand by and wa

he attention of those nearby. "You have n

oud and heated. "When your decisions affect s

tracted everyone's attention and eyes now dug hole