mation struck with d

ted through Corrine's chest, each pulse

d him as he rushed away, the word

e grow smaller. The pain in her chest intensified, as though so

rd from her feet, graduall

umed control of the failing Ashton family business

de her a secure future then, but promis

ons to elevate him from obscurity to prominence in the business world,

heir three years together had meant nothin

e, she alone had inve

crifice crumbled to dust in

tears spilled down her cheeks as

eve my brother would have chosen someone like you-a simple country girl without education or

st. "The Ashton family's current success exists

inger toward her. "You think yourself so importan

rine's heart. This, then, was how t

ith practiced grace, approaching Cor

cting nothing but contempt. "You're not only humiliating

logize and bid farewell to the departing

sperse, her dream wedding tr

and sacrifice earned

in loving someone incapabl

eyes, acceptance of her reality s

andered the empty streets like

e drizzle soon transformed

she broke into a run, but fate wasn't finished with her yet. A sharp s

car horn shattered the

rrine's eyes widened in terror, her