engagement ring on my finger felt heavy, a constant reminder of the whirlwind my life had become. Just days ago, I

ughts. "Come in," I called, expecting it to be

sistant. Her usual crisp demeanor seemed slightly ru

osity piqued by her unusual v

e room and closing the door behind her. "I... I'm not su

e quickened.

envelope. "This came for you earlier today. It was mixed in with s

nificant yet somehow foreboding. "Tha

instructed all staff to forward any mail

down my spin

rs, Ms. Jenkins. He's a good man, but... there are things about him yo

n my hand, then back at An

se, be careful. And... I was never here." With that, sh

lope. Inside was a single sheet of paper,

-

h Jenk

y is not who he claims to be. His wealth, his company, his very identity – it's all built on lies and bl

Frie

-

ht? Some sick prank by someone jealous of my sudden rise in status. But A

out Lachlan Reid? We'd met barely a week ago, and now we were engaged. It was all hap

. But there was always something in his eyes, a shadow that hinted

A text from Lachlan: "Dinner in

n had it delivered this morning, along with a whole new wardrobe. Eve

iend, Megan. She picked up on the thi

y voice barely above a whisper. "M

n?" The concern in he

ngela's visit, the mysterious letter, my growing

eathed. "This is serious.

confront Lachlan, but if this letter is true, that could be dangero

let on that you know anything. I'll do some digging on my end, see what I can find

me. "Okay. Yes, that makes sense. Thank you

ds for? Just be careful,

utes to pull myself together and face Lachlan over dinner. Twenty minutes to schoo

studied my reflection in the mirror. The woman staring back at me looked polished, elegant – eve

already there, looking devastatingly handsome in a tailored suit. He

and brushing a kiss across my k

voice sounded steadier than I felt

Lachlan talked about his day, upcoming business deals, plans for our wedding. I nodded and smiled in a

an whose wealth was built on lies and blood? Or was he tr

reached across the table and took my hand.

at. Was this it? Was he abou

n my palm. "Our engagement, this whole situation... it's not fa

h, waiting for

mething – vulnerability? Fear? "I think it's time you learned th

llway. Lachlan was on his feet in an instant, his body

he reached it, it burst open. Three m

ound, now!" one

nife from the table and positioning himself betwe

ne unfolding before me. As Lachlan faced off against

l did I agr