His Forbidden Heiresss

family estate. The mansion loomed in the distance, its windows glowing faintly under the darkening sky, as if watching her. She pulled her c

light a reminder that she didn't belong here. But the terms of her inheritance

nstructed world. There was no choice- her mother had left behind debts that threatened to swallow the small life Lola had buil

k in her face, recognition flickering. "Miss Gareth?" he asked

I'm here to see M

readable. "Follow the drive to the mai

, knowing it meant something far m

uiet night, the crunch of stones beneath her boots like gunshots in the silence. Memories surged with each footfall- her fath

ndelier, its cold brilliance casting sharp shadows on marble floors. The scent of polished wood

than the last, eyes following her like specters of old grudges. Finally, the butler gestured t

ed his powerful frame, his hair dark as midnight, posture regal and unnervingly still. The room was vast, lined with shelv

ned, his ice-blue eyes locking onto hers with a force that made her stomach twist. Even

replied, forcing her voice

cking smile curling his lips.

dusted with dark stubble, the sensual curve of his mouth. But it was his eyes that unsettled h

hin. "You could have signed the papers and w

ory grace of a panther, each step deliberate. She refuse

dark and expensive-washing over her, "I don't want your signature on a do

e she could stop herself. The words seemed

on's jaw. "That's not

ts at her sides. "Yo

of her mouth, the fire in her eyes. For a heartbeat, something like surprise

, his voice returning to a cold, businesslike

ck. "I'm not stayi

tried to create. "You will. The conditions of your

his eyes pinned her, their glacia

to a husky murmur, "you'd rather forf

trust, she would lose the last of what her mother lef

hating how small her vo

d, slow and preda

oor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the gardens. The bed was a king-size fortress of black s

r mother, a locket she never took off, and a small stack of letters sh

on standing there, a glass of amber liquid in his hand. "I t

the truth was she didn't want to

ing the space. He set the glass on the nightstand

d, unable to hi

his gaze. Then it was gone, replaced by that same hard, unreadable mask. "Rest. Tomorr

d. "I though

ns..." He paused, leaning closer until she could feel his bre

oft click of the door ech

ted a lone figure near the edge of the gardens, a cigarette glowing red in the dark. Devon. His face

she didn't care. But the question r

t the sight of him-and the strange, unwelcome pu

But tonight, in the silence of the Holyster estate, Lola Gareth realized she was

-

g gentle about the knot of dread in her stomach as she forced herself out of bed. She showered quickly, hoping t

ently laying out an outfit: a cream silk blouse and a c

rom?" Lola asked, clut

quietly, eyes downcast. "He wanted you

doll to dress up. But she was also keenly aware she couldn't afford to an

ooked in the mirror, she almost didn't recognize the woman staring back:

-

gleaming off polished wood and casting sharp lines across his angular face.

is tone deceptively light, but hi

nded compliment. "Let'

sat, she noticed a stack of folders on the polished surface, each stamped

ry grace, flipping open the top file. "Do you kn

t to one belonging to Devon's father. She scanned the dense legal language, bile rising in her

et up," she said

lashed. "You s

e wasn't

her document, this one older, yellowed at the edges. It was a letter-her father's handwrit

this can'

lenting. "And it's just the beginning. You

er courage. "And what about your family, D

Then he smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes.

-

ckets. "Your father's debts almost bankrupted my father's

weight of his accusations. "My father trie

y mother paid the price. She spent years fighting to keep ou

away. It was the first time she saw him as something

ered. "She spent her life runni

ats? We were trying to

She wanted to hate him, but there was something raw i

-

t before he broke the silence. "You w

f I re

body heat, his breath stirring the fine hair ne

cream, but something in his eyes stopped her-a gl

oor. "Breakfast is in the dining r

-

the walls clashing with the centuries-old architecture. A table stretche

He was already seated, sipping black coffee. A single rose

they were discussing the weather. "Art history deg

e of the table. "Yo

er sip. "I don't let unkno

able," she spat

t moment. "Then act like one. Tel

to take a deep breath. "I don't know everything. But I k

ing in his expression, but he quickly hid i

-

s on a sleek tablet. When she rose to leave, he looked up. "You're not confined to your r

ard. "I wasn't

-

he scent of damp earth and late autumn roses. But her thoughts were anything but peaceful.

s her father truly the villain Devon claimed? Or was this just another Holyster

m the garden path, his face unreadable. He looked almost vulnerable standing there, w

ost," he sa

he admitted, su

oined her on the bench. For a long moment, they sat in

suddenly, voice rough.

reath caught. "I thi

ce between them. His hand twitched as if he wanted to

said hoarsely, standing abr

-

med by falling leaves. The sun broke through the cloud

e, just maybe, there was a chance she could find the truth, and in doing so, free them both from the past