ce. It wasn't the peaceful k

ver expected warmth or closeness from him, but

glide across the marble floors. The penthouse felt

und, I finally foun

r and sleeves rolled up. A tattoo snaked down his forearms. A glass of wh

walked in, but I knew he

ed softly. He flipped

uch. When it comes

people?" I shot back. His eyes sn

earing the ring; you carry my name now. That means when you s

re..." A slow smile

ou just haven't rea

Your father's ledger. At

ore accounts, and with each page, a crack in the lie I'd been ho

all. "You knew all along, didn

ean. He made enemies, lied to them. I would've pr

've made him pay fo

hing you're pa

isted. So, I'm

my choice," h

e more than a

up from his phone. "The Rossi Foundation. You'll be seated with p

d if I

slowly, danger

t a look. Like I didn't belong to his world e

ng else; I just tur

ad said it would be brittle smiles, designer gowns, a

room. His stylist had done my makeup, and his driver brought

hat it meant to be his wi

ceremony," a woman with sharp cheekbones and even

n, I smi

red, but their gazes

ve up your old lif

shop? Sure. Damian prefers his

then realized I

ower, but it also paint

uld breathe again. I rushed back to the penthouse w

d. Especially Amanda Rossi. I heard you

if I had sig

d you

t need one you

st a touch. "You'r

s a matter of

g slowly toward me. "Survival, Claire, is not the same as living. Y

yself sitting by the window, staring at the lig

had something, the ledger. It had names, accounts, numbers. If

justice anymore. I just wanted

I wasn't the only one

h with the marriage? "Yeah,

t her settle in. L

t's right, that's