rs that Marian had left on my door earlier that morning. My hair was combed neatly, my makeup minimal, my

ght across the polished wood floor. The scent of freshly brewed coffee filled the air. Plates were already set. A full breakfast spread sa

eness or connection. It was business. Part of the deal. A way to c

it 8:06, I started to wonde

e door

arcoal trousers, dark stubble lining his jaw, and that same unreadable gaze. He moved to his chair

ate," I s

coffee. "You

"That's how normal

d, then finally-a small smirk. "

t felt real. But because it still didn't. I was so

g me. Studying. Not with warmth or fondness. More like curiosity. Like he was

ng here," he

y fork. "Do

I'm curious. Why agree to marry

d you agree to marry some

"My father backed me into a

other is dying. He p

e fell

p, Jace wasn't

. Something heavier. Quieter. But be

now," he sa

," I replied. "This

"Then let's stop

e paths that curved around fountains and trimmed hedges. I kept walking until I reached the back of the house where the

ere for a

nki

der

ret

d footsteps

alone?" Jace's voice ca

"I didn't think

follow.

Are we going to have a check-

e're going to be in this together for the next yea

rich coming from you. Yo

ny of it. I didn't want a wife chosen by m

d a life. I had dreams. You think I grew up fantasizin

ade hi

the enemy

meone is always pulling the strings

the tension between us changed. Shifted. It wasn't anger anymor

ed away

ess interview next week. My assistant will send t

ting," I

y, leaving the scent of his cologne a

door. She had a neutral expression, as

interview prep. There will be a televised fe

Pre-approved answers. Questions about how w

he words

ng through someone

u know Jace

re was something in his eyes-some

d he p

t, just the two of us. It was p

ople don't know abo

ts and scandals, he's the mo

he words unti

were

of

expected to recite them

the hall and found myself outside the study aga

quor cabin

window, shirt unbuttoned at the top

e and di

sleep?"

N

lies keep

y. "They're getti

ow. "That shou

a moment, neither of us spoke. The silen

s after a ye

orce. Go our separate ways. My father'

d y

ile. "I don't have

ow what to

aid no

't realize he was watching m

oor to my room, I press

I married him, I wasn't sure if t

of something fa