echoing old wealth and silent secrets. It was beautiful, cold, and unwelcoming. Alayná stood at the

the stillness of the air. "Finally, we're here," she murmured, though no triumph colored her voice. Her hand found

ed them, his face unreadable. He disappeared into one of the room

d gently, "I would like t

her, her expression g

ts base, away from Aiden's ears. Alayná's gaze briefly

," Mrs. Curran whispered, voice trembling. "For

man's eyes, and Alayná

idn't see this life coming-not like this. But crying won't fix anything. I'll get

hey've already turned the evidence against you. But I know you, my Alayná. Even if your parents don't

you're all I have. You've always been there for me

. But they are struggling. They didn't mean to ov

since the day I was born. Always wishing I'd been a

y poor child. You've suffered to

r. "Don't cry anymore. I'll protect you,

ed, patting her head. "Now go get change

a soft smile.

unlocking made her turn. Aide

said coldly. "An

room. Alayná rolled her eyes and made for the guest room besid

ou doing?"

e other room," s

ot stayin

ened. "I will

ched over, grabbed her wrist, and thrust the door to his

d," he orde

h more than her parents' house. Aiden's silence weighed like a stone. He didn't so much as glance at her

n Alayná's mouth. She picked at the roast duck and seaso

silence, "this house is very... bi

ut lifting his eyes

nce

er now," she tried again,

old as stone. "That depends.

her mouth. She slowly put it

ddenly, flustered. "I'l

. "I'll hel

ared glances held more love and comfort than words could. When they fi

odded. "

grab a blanket and head for the

sleeping o

d, blinki

sleep on

I c

't? Or y

ot back, match

est me,

refusing to look at her. She rem

ulder. "What are you wa

e'd had so many women-what if this was his twisted idea of revenge? She gulped, clutching

my period," she blurted

, eyes narrowed.

ust me, Alayná. Don't flatter

don't dream about anything with you.

layná," he snapped. "

way and lai

echoed in her mind: Act like it. Did he mean for the world? For

Sleep did not come easy. The man beside her was a stranger. He