a woke up with a tig

something open-something raw and dangerous. Cain's confession, the portrait, the loss. She

st cruel. He

ng in the shadow of a

thoughts. It was Marth

to bring you break

and pushed the food around on

n't eat.

nswered-and only one person left

sitting room near the kitchen. The older woman's eyes were kind but

uth," Lia said softly.

. "Miss Lia, it'

ike her.

pa

's the fire in your spirit. Elara was gentle, but she was f

orward. "Did

is whol

he treat me l

cause love didn't protect her. And C

hest ti

t your fault," she whispere

tha said. "Bu

ked down his coat as he stepped through the

nswers,"

xhausted. "

n't as

thing dark flickering in his ey

understand you. Isn't tha

ght turn away. But instead, he

t seen before-a library, grand and warm,

drink. "She was preg

t, lis

I got a call that the house had been broken into. My rivals wan

he drink in

inued. "But the truth is, I don't know how to ke

So you made me your wife

dn't stop dreaming of you. You showed up at my gala, i

blin

to hate you for looking like her, but you weren't her

said, a hint of a s

itter laugh. "No.

e felt different now, like it had exhaled a long-held breath

usic room. The grand piano

mother had taught her, back when life was simple and music was th

, she

in the door

able. Something about the music-the way her hands moved, the quie

op," he s

ed up. "Y

layed duets. After she di

time you p

dn't

sat bes

d a rhythm that neither words

was soft.

d was never

eave, the door to the

mily lawyer and Cain

oked

s leaked documents from the vault. Financials.

ce went s

" he

he leak was deliberate. And it

blood

o drag the past into the light