st slipped into fresh clothes when t

inctively, and there stood C

she meant to speak, bu

y?" Caiden pressed, his eyes sett

pale light around her. With every small movement, the silk shimme

eting flash of smooth skin that made a stunning con

collarbone, rising and falling in time with her measured br

necklace a heartbeat too lon

murmured, the rasp in his

bag over her shoulder and s

een on their wedding day three years earlier. Back then, he would've reached over to smooth a stray lock from he

orning looping in her mind: "He still holds you in his heart." Yet here th

ck, his figure rimmed with gold. His expression was hidden in shadow-just as it had b

his hand hanging l

vers, rubbed soothing circles on her back when storms rattled the w

hes away, yet there might as well

voluntary twitch, her pulse thudd

a reckless urge surged through her-to

oulders stiffen, her breath

st as her fingertips hovered near Caiden's, the sh

up the screen, and the sight struck Nor

oward herself, fingers knotting around the

life only seconds earlier collapsed, lea

she hadn't heard directed at her in years. The gentle li

composed expression that only widened the gulf between them. "Have th

ld be at the gathering; she simply inc

e turned toward the car. Just as he reached it, her vo

ps, barely there. "What, can't

line as she went on, "I have s

in his eyes dimmed. "Le

and pulled away, leaving her standi

.

Mansion, she found Caiden and

ing the place in an easy, familial glow. She froze on the t

d, she had never experienced the com

in her chest-of cour

eaned in, his usually cool face softened b

beneath that light, her every movement fr

piece of food on Jessica's plate, while Caiden's fathe

window into a world she didn't belong to-an inti

finally said, glancing up wi

, and in an instant, the cheerful ch

lingering on his face, but a subtle hesitation flic

she kept her expression soft, the corners of her lips lif

she murmured, her voice

ing her over with unrestrained ent

oreen drifted toward the corner, h

the necklace glinting against her collarbone befo

ner felt less like a warm gather

to breathe, the cold air outside offering a small r

klace around Noreen's neck, something unreadable fli