directly at the camera. Now sm

commands. Three hours into the emergency engagement photoshoot, Ellie's face ached from forced ex

ur hand on her waist. Ms. Wri

gh the silk of her dress. If the photographer noticed the complete lack

k at each other a

e pupil, the slight shadow of stubble along his jawline despite his morning shave. Perfection with th

e me," Alexander murmured, his voice

ot an actress," s

red in his gaze. "Then perhaps we

st to the small of her back, pulling her firmly against him. His

n't go

w

two, before instinct took over. His mouth was warm, unexpectedly soft, moving against

s something entirely different-a jolt of unwelcome awareness, a tremor of response that had nothing to do with acti

d impassive, though she thought she detecte

said coolly, stepping away from her as if the kiss

it prob

ced, reviewing his shots with satisfaction. "These will a

, already checking his phone for messages. "Eleanor, the car is wa

ess as usual. Ellie followed him from the studio to the waiting Bent

ala was followed by a late-night strategy session with Alexander's PR team. This morning had brought stylists, makeup artists,

ay after that, they would be married. One week later, she would be playing the adoring wi

ment, calculatingly sensual the next, constantly wat

been transferred to the private wing. Another piece of Alexander's chess game, moving his n

the silence. "The cover story includes private dinners and weekend trips-nothing that would hav

he skepticism from her voice. Diana Wright did

y." Alexander's gaze remained on his tablet, scanning reports. Her new neurolog

r's care, her company's survival-steadied Ellie's nerves. Whateve

Ellie warned. "She know

expression unchanged. "Unless you'd prefer to tell her

lty of his phrasing

or is it just reflex at thi

atures-not quite regret, but perh

t. We both know the terms of our arrangement.

tween sentimentalizing a

let aside as the car slowed. "We're here." Remember, this visit needs to establish our r

earances, to his precious merger, to the

alked beside her through hushed corridors, his presence drawing deferential nods from staff. It struck

dens. Diana Wright sat by the window, her wheelchair positioned to catch the afternoon light as she read. Despite

ered, her eyes widening a

de her book. "My daughter is engaged

's cheek. "I wanted to tell you myself

ite the coincidence that you fell in love with my dau

llie began,

, stepping forward to take Diana's hand. Busine

pression softening in a way Ellie hadn't witnessed before. If

ly. "Three months of secret dati

ounded almost genuine. "Eleanor brings light into my world, Mrs."

mance. How often did he practice these lines? And why did

he managed, finding her voice. "But

cts of humanity she hadn't known existed-both b

rely makes impulsive decisions. If she's chosen you, Mr. Bla

lled a chair close to Diana's wheelchair, sitting at her level

telligent questions about her condition, listened attentively to her opinions on literature, and shared carefully edi

e effective because Ellie could see her mother's

nder stood, promising to return soon. As Ellie bent to hug her mother

ncing, darling. B

Ellie off guard. Happy? The concept seemed

e whispered back. "But

ed to say that wights bend but never break. Reme

back sudden te

already immersed in business again. The tender fiancé had vanished th

ard the exit. Registry office at four tomorrow, followed by a small receptio

alking. "I thought I'd stay at m

t now-it would look odd for you to continue living separately." His tone

way. Tonight she would sleep in a stranger's home, surround

ocation. Alexander's arm wrapped possessively around her waist as he guided her through the chaos

ed, he released her, returnin

r mother's question echoing in her mind. Happy? No.

der could pretend otherwise-or how that pretense mig