in a simple, pale dress and clutched a small handbag as if it wer

r voice barely audible. "I'm

ed, her voice sharp. "I wa

g a protective arm around Amelia's shoulde

ay, Archer. I know Frankie has neve

Francesca. "It's Amelia's birthday next week. I want to thro

eal love interest, right in front of his

er continued, a false cheerfuln

toward Francesca. "Frankie, I know we've had our differe

Amelia did something extraordi

rgive me. I just wan

victimized girl, begging for forgiveness from the

th tears, and glanced at Archer. It wa

lia to her feet. "Amelia, what are y

as she sobbed into his chest. Then he

of compassion? Her family lost everything because of yours. H

you talking about? Her father retired with a fu

cher's voice was sharp. "A

voice cracked. "You believe her over

yelled. "Just st

week. The anniversary of her death in a fire at their estate.

to throw a par

ice low and trembling with rage.

were a monster. "Frankie, I don

ched it away. He was trying to placate

softening into that fake, gentle tone she now despis

him. She pulled away from Archer, her face a

om the room, her sobs

itation, Archer ran af

, the silence ringing in her ears. He had alwa

ad cornered her, taunting her about her family's wealth. Archer, who was still

punches meant for her and never complaining. He would stand in front of her, his

that day. He' d spent the whole f

blood dripping from his mouth, and his f

ands, her heart aching for him

n had his loyalty shifte

It had happened. The boy who would have taken a punch for

d transformed the ballroom into a fantasy land of flowers and twinkling ligh

custom-made gown, a vision of demure beauty

he asked, her voice soft an

ance, and everyo