as her gaze locked o

tched their mother's hand, the same hand that once used to run lovingly through Aria's hair

wice, hoping the figures w

tomac

e whispered,

od frozen, uncertain, as if questionin

event planner nearby offered, gesturing subtly to Xavier, who was now deep in conve

urp

urprises. He did contr

hat m

ently. This wasn't a r

ove?

gh the sea of black-tie whispers and forced smiles. She reached

she asked gently, brushin

e man with the glasses said w

urse

urning to her

ful." Her gaze flicked around the grand ballroom with unea

opened, but n

something she didn't e

er now, his gaze cold and asse

aky breath. "

event space, one lined with portraits and gilded mirrors

"You shouldn't be here. None of t

ws furrowed. "In

her voice interrupted-deep, sm

present for impo

ed slowl

or's edge, hands in the pockets

e?" she snapped, fury

corrected. "Technic

ened. "You're the m

I'm sure the press has said many things

hem. "Why, Xavier? Why

to her mother, and finally settl

der for you," he said eve

ked out of

Threatening them wo

ped closer. "I'm protecting an invest

sgusting,"

ely above a whisper. "And you'r

ay, every line of his b

to her family,

wide, fearful now. "A

ght to her chest. He still smelled

he wanted to say. But

uaring her shoulders.

Raphael

trembled. "Please. I'll expla

urned to the waiting assistant

hem hom

for the farewel

oked back again,

lroom, a storm barely c

already dancing w

ething fractu

lo

eartb

so

a wife mad

the girl who learne