mposing mansion of white marble and high glass windows that

fection was

r. The foyer was exactly as she remembered. Elegant, extravagant, and utterly lifeless. A grand c

ed wood and fresh-cut flower

ace herself before a sharp vo

're l

ueen. Dressed in an emerald green gown that hugged her slender frame, Genevieve was the picture of ref

er," Joanne said, fo

d over her. Not with c

dinner with Marcus," her mother continued, her v

fened. "How

or hours on the same night you meet your fiancé. Peop

ever-present conc

itterness rising in her thro

ed. "That's what

ond, another voice chimed

using trou

e doorway with a wine glass in hand. Celeste was everything Joanne wa

Ogoin sister, who was softer in demeano

er sisters exchange

essed, swirling her

e asked, alre

rse," Celeste smirked. "O

her said he was ruthle

s, the weight of their expec

. But beneath all of that, there had be

out to share t

fine," Joann

ebrow. "Fine? That's

to rate him for you?

mother's disapproving sig

apped. "Joanne, your father is waiting f

s stomac

ther. O

way down the long hallway leading to her father

y ajar, and she hesit

nte

breath, she s

ling the space. Behind the massive mahogany desk sat Victor Ogoi

p from the papers

e the

obe

here was only si

rrassed us

inched. "I

hat is not acceptable. Do you understand how fragile this arrangement is? Do you

even though she

, Fat

Joanne. This isn't about love. This is about securing your

in

had ever ha

she repeated,

issing her witho

and walked out,

ay, she found Celeste and Athena st

o you, didn't she

didn't

past them, heading

ehind her, she finally

family she h

alth, power, a

hred of love