AR

Vincent. My throat felt dry, and my mind scrambled to under

ng on his lips. His dark eyes sparkled with amusemen

e said, his tone dri

istant man he was today, but never had I once imagined that he had a son. Zayden had never been in a relationship, never brought

your father?" I repeated,

as Zayden stepped into the room. His face was unreadable, his jaw tight,

uietly. "Vincent is my son.

like the ground had been

o process what he'd just said. "An

rossed the room in three long strides, grab

through gritted teeth,

He pulled me up the stairs, down the hall, and

nking my arm out of his grip. "You c

blazing with anger. "Were you planning to tell him

stunned by

m like a caged lion. "Don't you get it? I'm way older than you. I'm old

ightened a

"Because he's your mate. He's young, fresh, and exactly what you need. If you

g. "What are you saying?" I asked

id, his eyes hard. "If you want to save

," I said, my voice t

ing flicker in his eyes-something raw and painful. But then

aid flatly. "I don't care about

ife, but I refused to let

u don't care about me, then I'll marry Vincent. I

a long moment, his e

asked, his voice

I have a condition. If I marry Vincen

at me, his eyes dark and unreadable. Finally,

he said

peated, my h

rned and left the room, sl

om, Vincent was still sitting on

id, forcing a smil

jumped to his feet, pull

[4/1/202

Scarlett," he said, hi

t felt like it was breaking, but I pushed

knew it, I was standing at the altar, dressed

to the back of the room-and there he was. Zayden. Sitting a

emotion I couldn't name. Was it an

your bride," t

ove, I leaned in and kissed h

sts clench at his sides. Then, without a word, he stood up and

the kiss, my hear

m smile. But while everyone else seemed happy, I wasn't. My emotions w

people were laughing, dancing, and toasting to our f

ed, my heart racing as I

oms. Without thinking, I followed. My heels clicked softly against the marble floor

, and pressed me up against it. His hand slid around my neck-not to hurt me, but

d went

d when he finally pulled back

n, pain, and something deeper.

ce breaking slightly. "I can't watch you wit

oat, unfinished, but the lo