le Godfrey, draped in an ethereal pastel blue gown that shimmered beneath the glinting chandelier lights, clung to him with a practiced delicacy. Her smile was the p

stood

l podium. His hand on the small of her back was tender, protective-intimate. The same hand that once

r voice as melodious as it was rehearsed. "Thank you all for coming to celebr

long enough for th

ath caught i

her voice just barely audible

eryl's fingers curled tightly around the champagne glass she

hifted to

ps curled in a proud smile, his fingers still resting on her wai

nd Sheryl. Once their gazes locked, Estelle's lips widened into a knowing smile. Slowly, del

rp gasp pulle

ard," Beth

er face thunderous with rage. She looked ready to march up there and t

" she m

do you mean, don't? Are you seeing what I'm seeing? Are

Sheryl said, her v

ou are his fiancée! O

. If word spreads that you caused a scene at a high-profile e

mn! My brother will control the press, and sister-in-law

Bethany in her tracks. It was soft,

ng at me like that

, a few years ago, you wouldn't have lifte

lushed. "Don't c

xchange. His eyes lingered on Sheryl longer than

ryl exhaled slowly. "I nee

her wrist. "I'll

t stay.

she watched Sheryl slip through the c

ly with noise from the party. Sheryl walked quickly, her heels clicking

h a soft thud. She staggered to the farthest c

't cry a

coul

her chest heavy, her

e memor

she cried about her stepmother's cruelty

e beach, the moonlight catching the

, Sheryl. I'll lose

n he clutched her body like it was the only thing grounding him to earth. When

her face in

he choked. "Every sin

er heart felt like it was being s

"How could you do this to me, Na

ic

r heels clicked across the tiled floor, follow

nced another woman as his belove

ofile but I heard rumors. Pictures of

but some pictures slipped. D

oney. Her family owns estates in Serbia and Italy. A match

fists c

. She looks like... the one who wa

d it be she wa

e third woma

g a gasp. That word. Pawn. It ech

ted the restroom. Th

, Sheryl's b

legs weak. She walked to the sink,

cara. Lips swollen fr

t see it...?"

owly morphed from broken to composed. The soft smile she wore didn

e buzzed

up. "I'm hea

y replied. "I'

her dress, and inhaling a shaky breat

than a few steps befor

fr

el stoo

navy blue suit. The man she

sion was u

say, something important. But then his l

he said softly. "I

. Her throat was dr

istance. His cologne-warm, woodsy, h

shing a lock of hair behind h

immediately rising. "Shouldn

ticked.

care." Sheryl lashed out at him as sh