posure firmly in place. The tender look he'd had for Chloe's photo was gone, erased

effective immediately?" he

a meaningless crystal figurine from a side table, turning it over in my hands. "You seemed so... conce

ther. "Oh, Ava, that's so thoughtful of you! Bu

ire. "I'm sure he'll extend the same

ure your safety, Miss Monroe. That has always been my

aid, placing the figurine down with a sharp click. "Marc

. But his training, his ingrained discipline, held him back. Or perhaps, th

he said, his voice still flat. "I will

d a smile. "Chloe, y

Ethan. I'll try not to be too much trouble."

photo, the overheard phone call about her "purity"

ipulative half-sister, the favored child of my father

see in me? The "bad girl," the damag

him have h

ng towards my bedroom. "Ethan, you can begin your new duties by escor

s head. "As you w

ing we could all go to the salon together

I prefer to get ready alone." I looked at Ethan. "

a flicker of... something. Confusion? Regret? But it was gone

ood, Mis

onal, detached syllable a reminder of the chasm betwe

ning against it for a moment,

was the only way to lance the wound, to caut

ld have her. And I would l

gown was exquisite, a deep sapphire silk that shimmered with every movement. My reflection st

han was waiting in

, professional assessment. "Mis

e, felt hollow. "Is Chloe re

oom, with your father," he replied.

already deferring to

aming at Chloe, who was preening in a pale pink confect

saw me, or rather, when

!" she gushed. "And Etha

r pang, already shifting towards Chloe. He subtly positione

patient when it came to social o

ork's elite. Jewels glittered, champagne flowed, and

ength, she was one of the few people in this city I genuinely respected. She, along with my mate

Ethan shadowed her, a silent, watchful guardian. His gaze, I noticed, lingered on her often. Not just prote

stant, painf

d over to me, Eth

ing her arm through mine. I stiffened but did

y, Chloe," I

"Ethan, do you remember that time you helped me find my lost locket at the museum b

logical deduction, Miss Vance. The wei

claimed. "You saved me. That

way Ethan almost, almost, basked in it was even worse. He downplayed it, but the slight softening of his features told me he remembered the

the new acquisitions tomorrow at the museum. Just for a few select donors. Daddy arranged an invitation

ers. "I would be h

ate viewing. Another opp

, turned to me. "You should co

e other plans." Then, looking directly at her, my voice laced with ice, "Besides, three'

n's expression hardened, a flash of disap

e as the villain. It m

e murmur of the crowd. The cha

about it. I wanted it. Not for its monetary value, but for the connection to her, to a time before Marcus and Chloe had shattered our world. It was one of the few things my Preston family hadn't been able to secure

tarted. I rai

her paddle went up a

s. Marcus stood beside her, looking smug. He was clearly

alled out, my voic

ation with Marcus, countered, "O

kind of money. Marc

's gaze on me. I d

and my father's le

anaged by the Hamiltons and Prestons, was substantial. Marcus knew it. The Hamiltons had ensured its r

to go so high, so fast. He likely didn't know the full extent

hrow more money into this petty squabble, not when his own finances were so precar

washed over me. For onc

to bring the gavel down.