he engagement party were

Every task, every phone call, was a reminder o

oice a calm, professional monotone as she discussed the details of Graft

e made s

iple times a day, her voi

nt peonies. Only peonies. The ones

are out of season and

on pays you to solve problem

when Grafton was near. Cayla could hea

displays

ome business partners. Cherrelle was at hi

d to the table, her hand possessively on his

o refill wine glasses or take notes. "Isn't that right, Cayla? You'

A reminder to everyone in the roo

ture. Cherrelle

ne of the guests, a man who had known

la. Grafton is lucky to

elle laughed, a light, tinkling

med with malice. "Sometimes I think she's more attached to Graft

he was painting Cayla as a d

esture. He looked at Cayla, his expression one of weary disappointment, though a flicker of pity

across the quiet room. "Don't make our gue

icly shaming her, validating Cherrelle's poisonou

in her head. *Kno

And she was so close to w

came the night

eing the final setup. The room was a sea of blush pi

relle arrived to

delight. "Oh, Gray, it's perfec

, however, drifted over Cherrelle's shoulder, seeking out Cayla. He wanted to see her reaction, to see the pain he was so

her eyes landing on

rrelle, a smug smile on his

ffer a word of thanks. A simple ackn

custom-printed napkins. It was em

ked she was capable of competence. He then looked around the opulent room, a

s. The simple cakes she'd bought, the thoughtful gifts she'd picked out, all of which he had ignored or scorned. He was tryi

al. Her quiet, steady

ing around her waist. He whispered something in her ear

e of happiness. A picture

rself to walk

she said, her voice steady. "If the

sweetly. "You must be tired. Thank

l. The queen than

walked away. She

his was her las

was absurd. She loved him. She'd never leave. He pushed the feeling down, letting Cherrelle pull him into another cloying embrace. He was