rtled Evelyn from her daze. S

politely. "Miss Hayes, Mr. Dobson sent us to

, they ushered her fir

at the unfamiliar route outside, a

tching, she opened her contacts, intending to c

outside contact without his permission." The

m, forcing herself to stay calm.

hom what Kristia

hly outside a villa, eerily

er inside, her face

d two maids waited. The sofa overflowed

hanel bag, a Van Cleef & Arpels necklace,

hat's this? Does Kristian plan to lock me a

aze, mute. The bodyguard

ustration, trapped with

bide her time and fi

n lived like a puppet

maid stationed outside, knocking every

d, but the butler repeated, "Mr. Dob

ence frayed, Kri

. "Evelyn, you could never afford this life, no matter how

suit paired with gold-rimmed glasses. H

he simple man

Evelyn looked away, un

as poi

mile playing on his lips as he signaled the

s you to see the world." He caresse

ng. "Kristian, I'm not going to an

ainst her, she'd have

. Why play the de

repul

fazed, as if he'd anticipated her defiance. He

your grandmother's keepsake. Wo

panic. She blurted, "D

ed and summoned a makeup

r, heart aching, tears s

or her most cherished possession. Foolishly, she'd

ated herse

lowed Kristian silently to the

r stopped abruptl

stian's side, looping her arm through his. "Honey,

sting a dismissive

with you twenty-four hours a day, and y

, chimed in. "Laura's head over heel

rehearsed, shot Evelyn scornf