ingerie, then back at my face, his own a mask of conflict and confusion. He lo

e finally managed to say,

o say? 'Willow, did you send this? Please don'

ung open and Willow breezed in, humming a cheerful tune. She was carrying a shopping bag from

box on the table to the thunderous look on my face. Her cheerfu

voice small. "Did I

since she' d arrived, his expression was not

Willow?" he asked

red, holding up the bag as if it were proof of her in

re called 'Fleur Sauvage' ?" E

pale. "What? No! W

icked up the lace and dangled it from my fingers. "It was

ooked like perfectly rehearsed horror. She brought a han

her eyes filling with tears. "Ethan, you have to believe me. I would never do someth

rmance she' d given a dozen times before, the damsel in distress

gh her fake sobs like ice. "Just stop. Th

eyes radiating pure hatred for a

o cruel?" she whimpered. "I

my home, and you have abused that privilege at every turn. This,"

in. He looked at Willow, not with anger, but with a deep, profound d

with exhaustion. "I think it woul

she began, reac

voice firm, leaving

s look before turning and scurrying to th

nt this time. It wasn't angry; it was

d quietly, not looking a

tisfaction in it. There was only a vast, achi

my voice regaining its strength. "More than anythin

s a commodity, not a given. I saw firsthand what secrets and deception can do to a family, how the

I chose you because I thought you were different. I thought you were a m

n the air, letting him

ou failed to protect me. You failed to protect us. Y

ith action. I want her gone. And if anything like this ever happens ag

regret. He saw the finality in my eyes

his voice hoarse

ile I was at my stud

gone,"

e wh

hio. I gave her some money to get sett

over, but the damage was done. The peace we had now felt fragile, like a crack in a vase that had been hast

I said

s voice hesitant. "Can

," I said honestly.