nevitable to happen in the "co

feigned expertise in "holistic wellness" was just an excuse for her to be constantly near him,

art of the grateful, sligh

irst direct move ag

. Sera had insisted on preparing a

"slipped." Hot soup splas

an the pain, which was minimal than

rry!" Sera cried, her face a ma

ng Sera with an adoring ga

ed, but his eyes quickly shift

Sera was dabbing at my arm with a

Sera murmured, looking near tears.

was fully on Sera n

to me, his expr

arm," he said, his tone sharp. "Sera is trying her

for a moment at the sheer

imperceptible smirk before r

ault," she said weakly,

her "shocking accident." He escorted her inside to "rest from the ord

ready deeply infatuated. Sera' s status

is blindness wou

arming Ethan and undermi

flames of ambition i

"cast-off" designer dresses f

"It suits your ambition. A man like Ethan apprec

s already dreaming of more than

litical donors at a charity luncheon Ethan and I couldn't attend due to my "delicate condition."

uring a brief phone call, feigning friendly concern. "Don't let anyone ov

ecame more assertive, more visible in Ethan'

istract Ethan. Let them make

ent soon playe

campaign trip to rally support in a wavering

arily without its rooster, and

r of time before the simme

ly constructed facade, and beneath it, the anticipation

e would be the