was quiet-too quiet-but it wasn't peaceful. Her body ached. Every muscle f

shooting through her hips. Her fingers

were

re gone, replaced with freshly laundered linens. Someone had come

ayed in her mind in broken flashes-Bryan's touch, his cold gaze, the hunger

r body while pretendin

g around her like a noose. She had wanted him, yes. But s

loor. Each step toward the bathroom was a small victory, and she took her time under the shower, letting the hot water

t black gown that left her shoulders bare,

ed like

she felt l

to ease the nausea in her stomach. She found Bryan seated at the long

ntouched. He hadn't

w, the way his brows furrowed in concentration. He looked calm. Co

finally awake," a maid

sed. "Mis

aff had called her Mrs. Capel. So why t

said n

from Bryan and sat. He didn't look up

her. Karen stared at it blankly. Eggs, to

ce for some flicker of emotion. Anything th

y I didn't wake up earlier to make your

waiting for a respo

nally lo

lf a s

od and shut

s outside.

inked. "

ng his keys from the side table. His footsteps we

to your hom

? But wasn't this her hom

er word, he s

read. The drive was silent. Not a single word passed between them.

Was he taking her back to her famil

man estate, Karen's heart sank. S

ce like a man on a mission. Karen hesitated, sta

d slowly, l

en-she

anding in the center like

ride. The woman Brya

unning down her face as Bryan wrapp

world

off at the airport herself. Her sister wa

she

as in Bry

ered, her knees thr

't even lo

ly warm. The same man who had treated Karen like air just hours

y-Mr. and Mrs. Norman-with

n them all. Her min

is this?" she

e rage in his eyes spoke volumes

L

fore she even realized he'd moved.

oared. "How dare you deceive him?

trembling. "I didn't-

" her moth

nothing. Still di

nd leaned into his ches

plan," she sobbed. "But she didn't list

. "What? That's not true! You

th after your evil plot and you r

formance. A

was fall

ozen, tears st

s face was stone. Not a flicker of doubt.

last night like she was wanted...

," her mother sneered. "

heart sh