ice a dead monotone. "Completely. I want the world,

line. Hamilton's voice, when it came, wa

aid. "Everythi

knew what Jackson meant to me. He al

" he said, no judgment

s tasting like poison. "As soon a

aid. "I'll handle everyt

I admitted. "Just.

ll find you. I'll send the details. Just get yourself to the pri

you, Ha

ys, E

ade it real. The life I knew was over. The man I loved was a monste

d to me. He had married another

cheated. He dese

anish from his world so completely

on my door

our housekeeper. "Mr. Parks

ling my features into a mas

panic crossed his face before it was replaced by his usual, char

ound my waist. He tried to kiss me, but I turned my head slightly, and

n my skin. I could smell Can

I said, my voice carefully neutr

n and child standing beh

ked, my voice flat,

relief escaping his lips. He thought I di

fake enthusiasm. "Elena, remember how we talked about wanting a

's an orphan. I thought... I thought we c

and his secret wife had caused, as a tool for h

e's a caretaker from the orphanage who has grown very attache

y's head. "Joey, say h

ck of ice. New mommy. Th

t eyes. But there was something cold in them,

he said, his voice

oud father. "Isn't h

humble nanny perfectly. But I could see the faint smirk playing o

w. I looked at Jackson, my gaze steady. "I'

saw something in my eyes, a co

?" he asked, his brow furrowed wi

turned and walked toward ou

ipping with the false tenderness that now made my stomach turn. "

eaned against it, the facade of calm crumbling. I was shak

soup to my room, pushe

are of your mommy," Jacks

e set it on the nightstand, his small

hatred. He was just a child, a pawn in his mother'

ound the warm ceramic,

over my hand and wrist. I cried out, pulling my h

let out a piercing wail,

amed, tears streaming down his face.