mm

through the music.

pt his arm around my waist, pulling

my voice steady. "What a

eyes raked over me, over the dress, over

la with my fiancé," I said

actually dro

from red to almost purp

cture of politeness. "Damien Cross. I don't believe we've been formall

his hand. "Th

n closer. I could feel his heartbeat against my back-steady, calm. M

o me. "We were just discussin

came easier than I expected. "Not your version, anyway.

ded unhinged. "You don't have lawyers. You

re was steel underneath. "Which means she has the best legal team in

ng to stare. Phone

aw clenched. "We need

so," I said wit

reached

stepped between us, bl

ien said quietly, "and

room wen

ed at each other. The

ver," Adrian

king a scene at your own charity gala. Your mother is wa

enough, Mrs. Castellan was watc

ck. Straighte

through gritted teeth. Then to

said. "W

ng a stunned Me

ne, my knees almost gav

ured into my ear.

'm going t

." He guided me toward a private balcon

air hit my face

"Oh my God, did that

for starting to overcome

against the railing. "

ke he wanted

ans it's worki

rending on social media. 'Damien Cross's Mystery

d. My hands were shaking. "I just

turned to face me. "You wanted him to see you

ked quietly. "

ooked at you?" Damien stepped c

eyes. "Thi

es

y know ea

so

lly still mar

mien tilted my chi

di

d. You didn't break. You didn't cry. You stood there in yo

," I admitted be

it." His thumb brushed my c

was something precious, something

his?" I whispered. "It's no

revenge and I looked straight to

hifted. Something dar

mattered to me," he said quietly. "Not just

was more curious.

n one of his guaranteed ventures. It was a scam. She lost everything. And when she tried to figh

t sank.

She won't even take my calls." His eyes met mine. "So yes, Emma. This is about revenge.

is wasn't just busin

I said, "it won't happen to me.

iving me space. "Come on. We should g

for that

d. "Fair

the entire time-watching as Damien introduced me to his business partne

touch was calculated

e, Damien kissed my hand for the cameras. It was chaste, old-fashi

finally let my

have to keep t

id. "Until the Hartfiel

d t

s richer, legally divorced, and you ca

in love with Damien Cross. Six

n I'd always wanted to be-st

said. "Wha

was dangerous. "Next,

widened.

e together. If you stay in that little ap

ust move i

ms. You'll have your own space. Your own bathroom. Complete privacy. But publicly, we need

I hated it, bu

?" I

send movers fo

have any

ooked at me. "This is happe

To pretend to be engaged to him? To face

o

going to d

eady,"

le was pure

your new lif