e polished marble, echoing through the room like whispers of her uncertainty. The chandeliers above cast warm light on the

urned as she

from his wine with mild disinterest, as though she were nothing more than an uninvited guest. Julian Lancaster, Damien's younger brother, leaned back in his c

Eleanor said wit

wn her spine. She was a w

empty seat beside Damien. The distance between the

No rash. No

rhythmically against his

I got the message,"

xpected. What did you think would happen

d Arielle like a blade. "You've caused quite a stir. The press is alr

went dry. "I did

epted it. You stood at that altar. You are now one of

He didn't look at h

ble. "Well, at least dinner just got a lot more interesting

e, unsure if he was mocking he

llingly marry into a family like this

d. "Her story is irrelevant. What matters i

ffened. "I'm not he

es said. "The

if observing her reactions under a microscope. Damien remained utte

, and crisp greens-might've been a masterpiece, but it tasted like ash on Arielle's t

ly. "Why do you think Damien h

ked on her water.

ness." Eleanor leaned in slightl

mien interru

oom f

carefully. "You're

pointless speculatio

r are we finally seeing something interes

ensed, but he

aybe it was just a coincidence

d. "That's an

g her, waiting for her to falter. But she'd endured worse than this.

od. "Tomorrow morning, I expect you to

blinked.

nt. You're his wif

ething elegant. And don'

s well. "This

heel and left wit

istling. Charles followed with a muttered complaint

Arielle. "You've been thrown into the lion's den, girl. Surv

the hallway, leaving Arielle alone in the gra

-

ed guest room, overlooking the moonlit gardens. The crisp ai

"You

typed: "Alive. Barely. F

. Call me if you need to run.

her lips. Emily always k

ay and turned to re-enter the room

mi

fr

He stood in the doorway, half-sha

gone for the night

quest

like a predator circling i

pmother decide to throw yo

ng. After C

ce. "And you

admitted. "But someone h

er. "Most women

t most

ce softening just sl

s heart

see the tension in his jaw, the way his hands flexed like he wan

a whisper. "But I'm here. And whether you hat

slightly, surpris

at last. "I don'

e'll get alon

in his expression. A flicker of curio

go but paused

n tomorrow," he sa

llway, leaving her heart rac

-