etween Damien and Ariel

as if she didn't exist. Natalia, of course, sat across from them, sipping tea with practiced

e refused

y a manipulative stepmother and a spineless father, it w

r solitude. It was one of the few places in the mansion

ing over leather-bound volumes until a

onger than

t away. His expression unreadable, but his e

k in her hand slowly.

it," he said flatly

ve barely spoken to me since

t close enough that she could feel his

he said bluntly. "And yet, you

. "Most women weren't sold off like p

didn't

etly, "You're not wh

a moment-not the cold CEO, not the feared heir to the Lancaster empi

about you," he said

that why I don't tr

ightened. "Don't

l. It's the one th

ly. "That just because my skin doesn't bu

dmitted. "But I think

ce stretched

ut-just slightly-and brushed a

n't pul

ingered, his thumb grazing her cheek for a moment l

k abruptly, as if reali

said coldly. "Don't confuse a momen

e that, the

g second, she had seen something behind his g

-

a rushed into Arielle's r

to come

from her seat

lian. He

li

versation in the hallway. Since he warned

ck terrace. Julian stood there, leaning against the railin

nough," he said

u want?" Ar

help

arms. "You alrea

need to understand something, Arielle. This marriage? It's

s it about?"

g his voice. "Do you know who

tepmo

deal was orchestrated by Grandfather L

inked. "Sp

s condition. Someone who c

ed like a ston

k I was s

you for years, Arielle. Since your father's company fel

are you saying? That I'm s

is bigger than you think. And if you don't start asking t

n't trust everyone who smiles at yo

-

m, watching the lights of the city flicker in the

this marriage

he might be the

now whether that

tar

-