around her like a cloth... One stretched too tight-sweet but suffocating. The violinists in the

ancing. With

s trailing shamelessly along his arm as he led her effortlessly ac

she was

. The flash of cameras, the glint of diamonds, the scent of rose and ch

" A server held ou

give her shaking fingers something to

charm. And then, just for a heartbeat, his e

lear: This is you

irst. But her spin

herself. You signed the cont

n't mean you co

felt ev

ward the grand staircase. The party carried on behin

of antique paintings and velvet-draped windows. The world d

e hand braced against a mahogany panel, the

id-hot, quiet, unwelcome. She pressed her

t

he

footsteps behind h

from your own wedding rec

e it perfectly clear it wa

lent a mo

Political leverage. You under

ly. "Is that what I

h. "You're an asset.

d. "Then why parade another woman in front

"Because you need to understand t

ened. "You th

strides. His voice lowered. "You're emotional. That makes yo

. "You married me, Xavier. Vu

flute in her hand. "Dr

ipping, tilted it slowly until the champagn

ving, as the liquid

er voice. "I don't need bubbles t

exed. "Car

'll bring my baby brother back

behind his eyes. B

I signed, Xavier. I know exactly what I gave up.

d and wal

, he didn

-

led with old leather and older secrets. The noise of the

r by the window, fingers kn

oices. Signed her n

n't given u

t

ted the silence. Then

one assigned to her by Xa

pping in. "I just... I thou

Does everyone downsta

y think you're brav

small smile.

a fresh glass of water

him alone," she said quietl

prised by the fierc

ed. Then

id. "But I'm not tr

ed her h

ndow, gazing down at

e him. One calculate

moment, some

he world

sn't

beginning

-

Xavier watch

asked a question.

ready searching

se he

ouldn

ouldn't b

r Black, was more d