orm that churned within her. Mrs. Margaret's question was pointed, direct, and laced with

rested in my personal life, Mrs. Margaret," she said, her voice soft yet edged with a quiet de

, dear. If this marriage is to succeed, I need to understand the kind of person you

Or for your son? Because, from where I stand, it seems the only concern here is how I'll 'pl

mated the girl sitting across from her. Beneath Camilla's outward politeness lay a sharpne

e that-whether justified or not-has implications for this family. Cyrus may not care for you, but his

ou don't want me to tarnish your perfect little empire. That's what this i

tension. A maid entered, her head bowed, announcing that breakfast was ready

said curtly, heading t

she hadn't anticipated them so soon-or from Margaret, of all people. As they sat at the dining tab

-

ed desk. His earlier encounter with the reporters still irked him, but what unsettled him more was Camilla'

e gathered some information about the reporters. As we suspected, th

demanded, h

"But whoever it is has connections. They knew

out who's behind it. I want na

d exited the room, leaving C

o would benefit from spreading rumors about him? And why now? His gaze drifted to the

ry favor with his mother. But he wasn't fooled. Women like her always had an ag

-

ir earlier conversation. The older woman had been careful not to push too hard d

is time, "I understand that this arrangement isn't ideal for you. But I need to know that I can tru

eyebrow. "You thin

ret said simply. "And survivors do

ne thing clear: I have no intention of betraying Cyrus. I agreed to this marriage because I have no other choic

g moment before nodding. "Good

-

elf alone in her room. She sat by the window, staring out at the sprawling

ter. The memories came rushing back-his betrayal, his lies, the way he had humiliated her in front of everyone. She had acted in s

ed her from her thoughts

side, his expression unreadable. "We need to

ms, leaning back in h

" he said, his voice cl

eyebrow. "Me?

I don't know why you stepped in earlier, but let me make one

gaze, unflinchin

ow what game you're playing, Camilla, but I'm

something: I'm not here because I want to be. I'm here because I have to be. So if you

tening. Then, without another word, he turned

as only the beginning, and she knew the road ahead would be anything