en's

was too early to be drinking, but I didn't care. The burn

assistant, Clara, typed quickly, barely making a so

board?" I asked,

e scheduled the final review for next month. Your grandfa

urse

ce, taking

em. And when he gave you a deadline, it wasn't a su

up briefly, then back down. She'd seen me

ng do I

y-eigh

nd a bride. Or lose eve

my brother

iling window again. Rain was starting to fall.

late,"

s was a dinner date

smile. He

name, the company, the legacy. I e

've tripled profits

"You live in that glass tower like a

throat. "You want a future? I'm bui

stepped closer. "You will be married by the end of this month. Or I

my sides. "He can't r

id simply. "And that's what matte

e. "You want me to li

obey. Like yo

er hit like a blade. I

e. And then gone. Just like that. One accident,

his burdens. The weight never left. And now my grand

ars of

ht. If I hadn't canceled. If I

Twenty-eight days was all I had. No woman in her right mind would marry

or love. Not for companionsh

wouldn't be wearing diamonds or sipp

of this city-struggling, desperat

ne who needed money more than love. Someone who wouldn't ask too m