r

's trembling body cl

shoulder was th

play my part. Raising my voice just e

escaped her-sma

t awkward but reli

he had collapsed into my arms. The rawness of it, the way sh

ave mattered. This

made it hard t

med, lashes clumped with tears, cheeks blotchy. An

she whispered, voice

my chest. The words hit ha

n't real. But the way she

earched my face, uncertain. "I won't leave

around mine like I was the last t

clearing shatte

d snap

-arms crossed, eyes

arents' faces twi

and cutting. "Ms. Pembroke, y

om mine as she turned-t

ered in her

s. I had made sure Mark hired someone wi

me and the furious family. "I... I didn't think this

med out, their exit a

a weak, "Janet, we'll f

His expression was bl

r throw the first punches, then

Aria-tapped my hand,

belle and I had sat just minutes ago. I

?" My mother's voice

ut me off, her glare flicking to Aria

n't pull away. "I'm s

exactly what you saw. I tol

ed me!" my mo

ry," I said evenly

you plan t

nothing

and she turned to my father, de

ixing his life since the day he was born! A

the ribs. Ingrate. Her favorit

e has to say," my

g bitter under her breath b

ook at my father. But before I could

y reassuring me. Then, gently, she pulle

ir back into my lungs,

rry for causing so much trouble," she

in many languages. They were travelers, and every meaning of

ning around my hand. "Please don't ask me

nesty in her words pulled me deeper

our life away for her? Isabelle's family could have given you everythi

like that," I said, f

her's voice sliced through. "That's en

to me. "What fam

she said quietly. "I have no family left.

offense, young lady," he said smoothly, "but, G

" I s

ispered, though she

t back. "My marriage

e most important part of marriage is securing the r

traight for disaster. Ju

inside m

ted my downfall for years, Mom. Yet here I am, still s

he turned to my fathe

ack, unmoved. "He'

ed but firm, "you're just d

ce steady. "I alread

ecause you built a company, you're a man now? Who do

ed. "You raised both boys the same way, an

ter is different.

nd, footsteps echoed

unfazed. "Mom, I'm heading out. I'm going to see R

aven't you finally finished negotiat

ned. "And that's the on

st needs support! You neve

clearly uninterested

ying games and make sure he gets married before he ruins himself. He needs to

readable and for a second, I thought she was ti

she announced, her

g, she looked determined "Righ

eart stopped, she is

for her ar

bright with something unreadable and I

rked. "Oh? Wi

fident smile sai

un. My hear

't part o

ctress-had just re