as a comfortable smell for Liam. He looked at the cards in his hand, a decent full house, but he w

efuge, his wee

livia, her posture perfect even when slouched in a leather armchair. She ran a significant portion of the nation's military intelligence, yet here, she just complained about the terrible river card that r

erent low points, building a bond that had nothing to do with their impressive day jobs. Here, they wer

livia said, her voi

ips into the pot wit

ow that look. You're bluffing, but I'

echoed from the heavy oak door. They all looked up. No o

again, more ins

ng his cards face

d by the soft lighting. She was dressed in expensive clothes that seemed a size too small, her m

u?" he asked,

f disgust in her eyes. It was a look he knew well.

he asked, her ton

a

f his existence was an inconv

with pigtails he used to push on a swing. The same eyes, but now they were cold. The same mouth, but it was set in a permanent sne

from a wound long since scarred over. He remembere

he name feeling for

t as a happy daughter sharing news, but

sniffing around his wife for years, the man who now lived in his

ce devoid of any emotion. He started

e doorway. "I'm not here for your congratulations. Mo

Family. The word was

usy,"

cards." Her eyes judged his simple clothes, the lack of any visible wealth. "Look, it's important

t father, a failed businessman with no ambition. She had systematically poisoned Emily's mind against him, tell

y, buying her horses that cost more than most people's cars. He had given her everything, and in return, she had stoo

r anger. The demand, the entitlement, the complete disregard for him as a

ice cold as ice. He closed the door in

e, the comfortable atmosph

ia asked, her sharp

, picking up his cards.

ow. "Didn't know y

But as he said it, a new thought began to form in his mind. An opportunity. A weddi

time to col