tops of tall buildings, and now, it felt like it was sinking into her bones. Two years. That's how long it had been since she left this
emories she wasn't ready for. The little café where she'd first interviewed a whistle-blower. The park bench where she
e driver mumbled, snappi
on, and everything she'd tried to run from. She'd pictured returning as a successful journalist, someon
ow, it looked tired. The paint was chipped, the garden wild and untended. It di
one. Instead, he smiled weakly. His strong shoulders loo
ight hug. But it didn't feel like a welcome.
use felt too quiet. No smell of her mom's cooking. No backgroun
ugh his thinning hair. "Come
risky business decisions, hoping to recover from a major client pulling out. He took loans, mortgage
fired and blacklisted suddenly felt like a sick joke. While she was trying to
whispered. "How did it get thi
really thought I could fix it. I tried, Eva. I w
ailed. Eva felt completely helpless. She had nothin
t nervously. "There's... one last
t him, her g
out to Luci
hless billionaire who once held her heart and then crushed it when
r voice was sharp. "Dad, you
ne who can help. And he's will
ew. She could
you to m
rry Lucian? The man who hated her? Who didn't believe
o, Dad. I can't. You ca
lready prepared everything. If we say no... we lose t
ningless now. What kind o
a glass and steel tower in the heart of the financial district. Eva dres
, as if he owned it. Lucian sat behind a massive desk in a dark sui
is deep voice was cool and
va replied, trying to keep her vo
ned, I'll invest in Langston Innovations, clear the debt,
ce rising. "Why me? Is th
but it vanished quickly. "Revenge is messy. I do
ughing. "You're forcing me to marry
resources most people can only dream of. And I need a wife.
ompliant. As if she
ill think I betrayed you. You think I leaked
is now. The deal is simple say yes, and your family is sa
e passion from their past gone. He looked
ar away. She saw her father's tired face in her mind. The
marry you. But don't expect me to be compliant. And d
been yes. "Good. My lawyer will contact you. We'll ma
eady out of sight, out of mind. Eva stood slowl
he man who broke her. And outside, the fog thickened, curlin