tion. She wore her signature navy blue pantsuit-Walton corporate colors-power dressing as intimidation. Her

his breath catching. "Moth

d onto the wedding ring sitting on the counter betw

manufactured politeness, the kind reserved for enemies at charity galas. "T

r, after having my heart shredded to confetti, this woman ha

rway. Unlike his wife's calculated coldness, his expression he

, his deep voice reverberating through the foyer. His ey

d. "Dad, Mother-this i

th's eyes narrowed as she circled me like a shark scenting b

give her the satisfaction. "Obligations like fide

her perfectly powdered cheeks. "You have no idea

-harsh, brittle. "Pressure so intense it drove him into

nched. "Ari

. "I want to hear Elizabeth explain how your fam

f your... modest background, Aria. But I tolerated you because Michael chose you. When the question of heir

roared in my ears. "Ste

surgical precision. She moved closer, dropping her voice to a whi

of fertility treatments hidden from the public, of crying alone while Micha

ssion with an heir drove him to cheat." My voic

at's done is done. We need to handle this quietly." He spoke as if discussin

pted, feeling a savage satisfaction when both elder Waltons b

ched beneath his designer shirt. "Father, can

ing a perfectly shaped eyebrow. "That this marriage had run it

Is that what this was about? Not just

sive. "The Walton legacy must continue

* The family mo

"That's enough! Both of

e. "Michael, be reasonable. Let our lawyers h

t efforts. "Your son slept with my sister in

he moved between Elizabeth and me. "Aria, no one's happiness is

h fertility treatments while encouraging your son to find alternatives?" The evidence was crystalliz

nt, enough to confirm my suspicions. "We

the tension. "Don't put this on

st another betrayal-the final confirmation that I'd never truly bee

s jerky with adrenaline. "You're right, Nelson.

the ghost of a smile. "Finall

protested, but t

t thing that happened was you sleeping with my sister. I was wrong." I gestured toward his parents. "

ou're making a mistake, Aria. No

door, legs somehow supporting m

or my arm. "Aria,

his fingers had brushed. "Don't. You made your cho

oor. "You'll regret this approach, Ari

d never truly been mine. "Threaten me all you want. Your money bought you my hu

osed behind me with the finality of a coffin lid. The Walton pride had

termination took root. They thought I would crumble und

were