d, replaced by muffled laughter and clinking glasses. The cele

had already slipped into her wedding gown, the same white silk she remembered all too well.

me, she was

steady, her

tch cl

oor o

alke

an C

ike a shadow swallowing the light. His face was as she remembered coldly handsome, sharply cut features, lips

echoed louder than the

at, neither o

her head, wrung her hands, whispered a trembling greeting. She

ere again, she

her chin. "Y

their depths. His bride was supposed to be meek, soft, des

e said flatly,

, but colder than the marb

an wait. But a bride deserves at least a few wor

ost playful. But benea

heavy, assessing. "You speak

yes locked on his. "Perhaps you do

e room, his polished shoes clicking against t

ardrooms, businesses, people. He had never needed to rai

his bride w

ked briefly over her gown, her face, her steady posture.

red, your love. The memory made

nswer was

es," Aria said smoothly. "R

that word burn sil

thing. Then his lips curved into something that

t," he said. "That wil

life, nothing about this marriage had been easy. Not t

ng her lashes just enough to look c

't her ally not yet. But if she played this role caref

a would slither into her life again, poisoning her with false sisterhood. And Viv

she would

ong, precise fingers. "The celebration will continue outside for hou

he had rushed after him, eager to cling t

and said lightly, "Of course. After all,

door first, her step

er, something unreadable

ide was really the obedient woman he had been

, they looked like the perfect couple handsome groom, beautiful bride, the union of two p

rs must be

ally married? Who

or thing. Cross Group's C

she had burned with humiliation, her cheeks red, her s

not with desperation, but with calm control. Her chin was

able. He didn't glance at her, didn't speak a word, but h

e a storm wrapped

mian finally led her back to the bridal chamber. The music fad

ut with a q

htmare in her first life. She remembered trembling, waiting, desperate for his approval. S

gs were d

a chair. His movements were precise, efficient, co

d your part w

you? Did I make a good ac

s would've smiled shyly, eager to please. This on

d. He stepped closer, his presence heavy. "Be

"Better a sharp tong

able. For a long moment, the air

st the desk, arms crossed. "

oftly behind her. She picked up the brush, running it

lightly, "is the fastest

. He studied her reflection in the mirror i

d steady. "Don't worry, Mr. Cross. I k

oice was lo

scandals. Someone who looks the part, smiles

twitched not quite a

o you want?

g to face him fully. Her gown shim

would want," she said smoothly.

e. Neve

bing. Most women he met stuttered under tha

etched, thi

f that's all you want, you'll fi

ng about what lay ahead would be simple. Not with Sophia. Not

ly nodded. "Then we u

ping it over his shoulder. "Rest.

d walked tow

broke her. When he left her on their wedding night without a glance, s

hand touched the d

ght, Mr

steady, and comple

r. Something flickered in his eyes

e door clicking

and falling. She looked toward the window, wh

at sight had made he

ade her f

rowing. "Sophia. Vivienne. The Carters. Even