y to be my wife." Alden's commanding voice reverberated through the

ily learns about our marriage. No divorce until the development project concludes.

vaporated completely, rea

reeing to let her

ecklace and earrings, then slipped out of her wedding gow

lf-naked?" Alden's voice c

eality crashing

racted a ring from his pocket and s

band encircled her finger perfectly, a

ventured cautiously. "I'll guard it ca

Helena placed the match

ly blessings, they got m

esidence and instructed his assistant, Xavi

nished from sight did Alden answer

ur elaborate scheme?" Do

en opened his palm to examine the crimson smudge

now. No schemes invol

side a consultation room, Helena's friend and psychotherapist, Valeria Clark

the couch, thoughts

d unfolded. Alden had helped her, a

yet her marriage still

leria, do you believe my c

ne day marrying and having children naturally. No

n-a man who would ne

and adorning Helena's finger, vi

those memories resurface, healing should progress quickly. But speaking as both

tened, anxiety

ed a complete stranger without consulting me. It's reasonable

leria's sarcasm cuttin

cian and even covered several months of medical expenses.

impose further b

father to the nursing facility. She merely needed to endure until the dev

ia farewell and proceeded directly

she stood ready for any uns

evening news anchor, chatted an

ir who recently returned from abroad, is vi

keup, the lipstick slipping to leave a jagged strea

months, he had barely set

lationship concealed. Due to her profession, Helena departed

encountering her newl

suffered an accident that stole his hearing entirely. How could his fam

id with casual cruelty, "why not rem

he family property from slipping to his brother. Such a shame though-he's qui

mock concern. "After such trauma, who kn

r rippled through the r

s expression carved from stone as the familiar barbs of mockery

th indignation. "M

ng makeup-rose abruptly from her seat. She slammed her compact onto the

head swiveled toward Helena, eyes wide wi