ma's words pierced the atmo

rd to become. My calmness falt

se before the disguise slipped

't going to allow my si

hia!" she shouted, ges

ible impact, yet I compelled my

my chest, yet I remained upri

guest penetrated me, their ske

and even more troubling, I co

unced, my voice unwavering, my

ult in... bewilderment. Miss

gently yet with intention. "I s

ria Dantes.I am not

space. Emma began to speak, y

for me to cha

voice steady yet tinged with a

ping his eyes on me, "you're

uat

a yanked her away, yet her g

h urgency an

I faced the guests, presenting a

. Kindly, reli

ll, looking for comfort in the pe

at my skin, yet it grounded me.

ttempting to calm the tu

he person you

e immob

the darkness, his star

facing him with a grin that fa

can assis

ng nearer, his tone subdued. "

ne I believed I had

ears, yet I remained unfaz

across my face, looking for fi

en your flame. "It

lf to stay serene. "Sadness can

. "I'm sorry for your loss, but

he would say something further,

ion like

els striking decisively against

ance to sneak away, my heart ra

h

n bed, the recollections came

at pierced the night. I shut

, sensed the heat of r

ole illumination in that bound

line, vowing to myself that

avor," I murmured into the stil

uir

met my mother-in

avy drapes drawn, and the air fi

and en

d, pushing a folder in my dir

. It's ti

g the papers. "What's t

ked with a slight grin. "Utilize

t's the esse

n strengthening. "They will be u

confidential meeting with Mr.

ng grin, his gaze sta

tery," he remarked, moving in

, yet I kept it hidden. "Thanks,"

sion towar

f uncertainty regarding Diana's

ride preventing him from se

myself once more in the shad

red laughter in the garden. My c

eet smile reminded m

and embrace him, yet I c

up, bending down to murmur so

nty and discomfort. My hands ba

g in my

ng but never taking action,"

racing, to find Johnson standin

omposed and strategic, his

n the darkness," he commented

ing som

presenting a serene, imparti

It has been an

d to the garden where Westley w

have been observing him f

a calm tone. "He is an exceptiona

i

ing me. "You're truly enigmatic

ring to mind a

't reveal it. "I believe that grie

ls commonly perceive what

no amusement. "Maybe," he rep

caution. People are talking abo

be the person you

ed nothing. "And what is it

tinged with feigned worry.

legiances... aren't align

ering. "I don't understand wh

you, my sole purpose

ng than before. "For your benefi

y comes to light. Once they

ving me frozen in place. My ches

heavy

as Sophia-but his curiosity po

g for the right

Westley's face illuminated by th

d gre

loped me, I whispered an unspok

t. Johnson could go in circles

t would alread

eager to head home, I suddenly

t covered my mouth. "I understa

eated. You had better back out,

ging me into the darkn