d to keep her expression neutral, but inside, her mind raced. How could A

added, her voice dripping with di

chest. There was no point in lying. If Alana kn

ce steady despite the storm of emotions swirl

ing into a smirk. "Really? You expect

condescension in Alana's tone, the way she was act

and me," Lily snapped, leaning forward. "Yo

eyes darkened with something dangerous. "I

eyes. "What are

tly, her gaze never wavering. "You've always been so naive, Lily. Always so willing to believe the best in peo

r's words. She had always known Alana could be m

lled with anger. "You trapped him. I know about the blackmai

ssed Alana's face, but it was gone just as qu

almost a purr, and it sent a chill

"I want to know the truth, Alana. What are you holding over him?

You really have no idea, do you? You think this is just abo

roat as Alana's smile faded, h

per. "It's about control. Adam isn't the only one with secrets. Our famil

sea wash over her. "Wha

the saint you remember. He was involved in things-illegal things. Dang

er father had been strict, yes, but he had always been a

king her head. "That's no

shady business deals? Run illegal operations to keep his empire afloat? P

ge of the table. The room seemed to spin ar

e. "Our marriage wasn't just a personal decision. It was a business move. A way to solid

reeling. "So you're saying... you're

lingly. But only after he found out what I had on him. He didn't have a choice, Lily. He

been holding this over him all these years? Kee

n the world. "I did what I had to do. Adam made hi

ightened. "Wha

nk he's going to come running back to you, now that he's told you the truth? Well, I hate to break it to

r boiling over. "You're wrong. Ad

that doesn't change the fact that he's mine. And as

ainst the floor. "You're disgusting, Alana

ooking utterly unfazed by

anymore. Alana had always been ruthless, but this... this was something else. This

r voice shaking with anger and

r, her eyes glinting with amu

afé, her heart pounding in her chest. The cold air hit her like a slap

had been turned upside down. Alana had been manipulating them all

ster win. She wasn't going to let A

ing to fight back. For hersel

, she wasn't