pte

always bee

d at James and thought,This is i

blouse, and a crooked smile from a man who offered to

grin that made it hard to say no. "It's the least

wkward coffee dates to dinners beneath chandeliers

d believed

say, how to hold her, how to make h

ding, Serah stared out the window, barely noticing the blur of cit

ee

ft to fulfill her

y-eighth birthday, or the entire

v

rony

grandmother sitting in the sunroom, eyes

ad said. "The estate isn't just about money. It's a legacy. I

be trusted?" Serah had

"I'm saying you trust others too

d it off. She thought Grandma

rning echoed wit

e were the official documents: the will, the deed, the c

ything would trans

ought would be her husband, w

m the beginning? H

ind r

to every Sunday lunch, charming

said once, watching James pour her tea

t twisted at

ther to be proud. To see h

curity had shatt

d in front of

driver said gently

ing air, head held high. Inside, h

k the elevator up, watching her reflection in the c

wyer, greeted her with a nod. "Thank you

ling out the folder and placing it

glasses and open

order to inherit the full estate-her properties, stocks, assets-you must be legal

he asked, even thou

cally transfers to the next

d shared clothes, birthdays, and secrets with. The s

ah asked, desperation c

r grandmother was very clear. And very th

Marriage. To a man who's pro

didn't

fter a beat. "I mean, does it hav

binding. But you would have to show proof-a certifi

mind w

ee

love. Not eve

e. To hold ont

she said soft

hy. "Serah... your grandmother t

o herself than him. "I just wis

-

he once shared with Jam

ames kissing her cheek under the sun, James lifting her into the air at the bea

ery fram

ntending to rip the past out o

at on t

elvet. F

ing

e opened it. Inside lay the diamond engagement ring James had giv

envelope. Just sitting there, l

it up, un

r. I hope one day

igna

plana

cowar

d the note, crumpling it

ts flickered-o

eath c

down the hallwa

he door, heart beat

d out, voice barel

le

wly-too slowly, like in a night

the doorway,

was

something unreadable. Her

out of time,"

alked away, her foots

rozen, her he

ow-but somehow, E

ed her more than