her in front of me, he always did so with an

ech, every word and action exuding maturi

e a shocking

ng me as his goddaughter and th

stood to Saul's right, with Theo on his o

, countless e

e public eye over the past three months, the more

eous, while others mocked that I w

ment, it was as if I was

vered between

eyes of the crowd,

ng his, his eyes still held a gentle deter

nor did he agree to the engagement

gize, my father was just jokin

g, I might have thought I was t

rding had become a

t an emptiness, a sense of

Cecilia's face turn pale with shame

win, but ne

murmured a

riend who has stood by

eply affectionate a

end up with such a devoted and fait

, Theo pushed me out of the v

ustling event, we returne

d me into t

s to me, and once again, firmly

his arms, cry

nderly cupped my face, kiss

rcelain doll in his hands

ires. Theo wasn't a saint. Perhaps

waist, our breaths becoming

moment, he gentl