alked among the rows of rose bushes and peonies, trying to calm the whirlwind o

amien's fiancée had spoken-so assured, so confident-had chipped away at the small foundatio

barely ackn

iel

the mansion. Lila had started as a maid, but in recent

with a kind smile. "You dis

ded so

"Everyone's been talking about Natalia.

abou

house. The 'substitute wife.' They say you're temporary.

d bitterly. "

ve that. I've worked here long enough to k

the garden paths. Birds chirped in the tree

lle began, "about what Jul

ink there's a secret

t. We lost everything. And suddenly, I'm forced into a marriage with the

ad something to do with you

s firm. "It can't

garden where a marble bench sat

illness-it's real. I saw what happens when others touc

ad. "You think tha

ke I'm unwanted. If I'm the only one who c

ted them. They turned to see Natalia approaching, dressed in an ivory

a smile that didn't reach her ey

d. "Just tak

btly dismissive-before she turned back to Ariel

ignaling she'd be fine. With a small bow, Lila stepped away, cas

loser. "You're no

kew

ot of women in my life. Most of them

didn't

. "Do you know why Dam

olitica

aid it aloud, but I know he felt something for me too. And then, y

I didn't choose this. Your

accepted the ring. The mansion. The status

t stay for power. Or luxury. I s

bstitute wife-know your place. Because when Damien finally t

ounded. But she d

heart," she said coolly, "you w

flicker of a second-before she smiled again. "Bold

d and wal

in her lap. Every day in this mansion felt like

needed to know where she truly stood in Dami

her ow

ess meeting. Arielle waited in the hallway outs

urprised to find her there, sh

ed to

hed. "Abou

out

'us,'" he rep

. "Then why don't I affec

ared

sed. "When other women touch you, you break o

g time before finally m

oice softer now. "But I can't do

"I didn't ask for your he

listening, "but I'm here.

fore he could respond. And fo

-