d stung fr

dn't f

on unreadable. Something behind his eyes shifted-like

ong and thin between th

lly, he st

retreat, like a lion deci

th the back of his hand and laughed

make this harder than i

e wall, her breath sha

she said, v

he was memorizing the defiance in

th a final click. No lock.

ment he was gone. Her knees gave in

se of wha

e of what

. He had only

t more human. And

ed to. But it was like h

ghts turned into

ad she

m. She slapped

nce. The man whose very name drew

sb

de her thro

her woman would have begged for forgiveness or

sn't any o

n afraid when he'd

With herself. With the truth that

er had w

The room spun slightly as she stood, but she didn't reach for

er-her things were alre

d curat

fe had been arranged l

eater, and slipped it over her dress. It smelled

mediately and tossed

stepped into the night. The air was cool and damp. Th

ate gardens slept

e knew

, even in his absence. Like he'd imprinted him

the railing and l

maid

ky wants you in her

ed and f

tepped

rmchair, her posture perfect, a porcela

?" Lily asked, v

the wom

did

yes flicked up. "

ay what you called me fo

-carefully, deliberately-like she was taming a

a bed with my son on

e it

d

brings to this family? To Leo?" Her voice didn

r presence loomed like

ith your feelings, Lily. You walk

. "You were chosen

d me down the aisle like a lamb to slaughter, and now you're f

sky's slap

y didn'

r cheek blazing red. "Did

barely held together. "You stupid, rec

ave his way either way. So

ropped. Quiet.

m not going to be your next caged wife, clutch

d. "You forget your place. I

forget I'm not afrai

ed between th

ing her dress as if nothing had happene

eous... but I honestly want to see h

," she w

looked past Lily a

se for you." He

eart immedia