ining hall, the sound carrying up the stairca

ever get us

ke breakfast in her room. She reg

he had a reason for coming dow

as she stepped in. The atmosphere was warm-easy smiles

ot that it was cold or hostile, but there had

en he was there, would nod, distracted, barely listening. On the days he wasn't, s

. this was

ment of food onto Annabelle's plate. The way he looked at his siste

night's confrontation came rushing back. A lump for

ly moved toward it, only to hesitate. Instead, she veere

berate

usual post, dipped his head.

d in ackn

eeted, intentionally k

replies

rni

mm

ing,

d at her. "How

on eased some of the tensi

red, though she knew Katherin

. Katherine knew about the nightmares. She always checked f

to notice as she reached for a piec

Annabelle's star

e Annabelle quickly look away. But the stiffness

her mouth, but she forced herself to c

e in business, and the family's company partnerships. He responded with

ecame background noise as her thoughts drifted, spi

sence pulle

ur

oom was almost tan

ul, indifferent. His expression remained calm, but his sharp eyes held

s gaze lock

le st

n his seat-p

to Annabelle-before returning to her. As if in realization

d feel it in the way his presence

said

chair next to Annabelle a

e greeted, his vo

ded, but Giselle

" Katherine

ick, almost clipped. No warmth, n

htly, but she nodded, shifting

before settling on a single

nd herself

jaw tightened slightly when he chewed, the way

try to hide that

r mind was

est. On the promise she'd

to get close to h

t

glanced up, cat

slowed. His

sd

t she saw

ning what the hell she was looking at.

iselle didn'

lenge. It wasn't

ply... lost

ti

leared his t

d, snapping out of it, only to reali

ocus to Mr. Morgan as he leaned fo

yet firm, "why don't the kids take a tour

Mr. Anders agreed. His

t'd be good for them to see the city

tween them. "What d

th Giselle, nodded. "It's a nice plan." But the la

ith concern. "And you, dear

ll nod and turned ba

tension between them

n said, satisfied. His

e," he

coffee mug, already

going with the

love to," he deadpanned, "but I have matt

, sensing the tension.

Maurice, your fiancée is going on a tour of a city s

corner of her eye, anticipation flic

lightly. "Father, this c

cut him off smoothly,

her, but she only gave him

urled around

e day, you can still review the work. If it's not t

Maurice's

back from the table. With his mug

ave at

ike that,

uietly, gripping

ing to be i