y ached, but her mind was sharp, honed to a fine point by pain. The door creaked open, and Noah stood there, silhouetted against the light

d, his voice flat. He sounded like a ma

up at him. A bitter laugh escaped her li

ysterical. I had to... I had to do something." He was making excuses, trying to justify th

o," she said, her voice quiet

it will be over soon. The wedding is in two weeks. Once we're married, everything will

e perfect public stage for her final act. She had to play her part perfectly. She looked down,

this." He was so arrogant, so sure of his control over her. He led her out of the cellar and back to her room, a gilded cage she would

usiness deal that was rumored to be shaky. "They say Mr. O'Connell is having second thoughts," one whispered. "Ever since all this drama with Miss Miller started. It's bad for the brand." So, her pu

was warm and humid. Through the leaves of a large fern, she saw them. Noah and Olivia. They thought they were alone. Noah was standing

eyes closed in satisfaction. "He'll have your strength." Noah laughed, a low, intimate sound. "And your cunning." He turned her aroun

ut of there. She fled the conservatory, the sound of their laughter chasing her down the hall. She ran right into a crowd of people. The Harrisons were hosting a party, a celebration of the impending merger. The house was fil

Ava. She stood there, a glass of champagne in her hand (which Ava knew was just sparkling cider), looking

Olivia?" Ava aske

to you. He's determined to marry you, to make it all right. He thinks it's a noble gesture." She took a sip of her cider. "He told me how sweet you

gernails into the back of Ava's hand, drawing blood. At the same time, she flung her glass to the floor, shattering it. "She attacked me!" Olivia screamed, her face a m