e well-lit space, the little girl sat at the study t

ronment decorated in neutral tones, with delicat

re in a gold frame of El

scattered around, but to her surprise, even the bed was made

mornin

er colored pencil a

rst," she whispered a

Vivian smil

ind her. Turning back, she waited a

asked the c

's

The little

e, your

t to the door and

Miss Elizabeth?" V

e in!" The girl

She walked across the room and put t

ild stretched out his arm, ha

ouse, Liz had drawn a garden with three flowers and a tree with a swing. Viv

who had spent her early years in the Uni

you s

remembered what Gabriel had said: be careful w

lowered herself to Liz's height and hugged her. She sm

icked out y

set and opened the door, pointing to one of

u take

d her feet in the

made a French braid in the girl's silky hair and tied a small bow at the end. Sliding the short s

air skin and black hair on the wall. Rachel was stunning and photogenic.

ent, Viviane felt a lump in her throat. The girl had no mother at her side,

landa's voice echoe

iane opene

said if you don't appear with Liz

on ou

hanks and hurried to help the girl fas

tudy?" Liz

ny said calmly. "Let's se

news. Rarely did she see her father in the mornings, and

e girl's hand, she followed her little steps. Viviane greeted Barbara,

's my

ving room," Bar

e girl showed

and the room's Victorian-style decor displayed re

r when the girl let go of her hand and ran

sofa across the curv

eper and driver over befor

gry?" he ask

e raised

his eyes at Viviane. The nanny's subm

apers and stepped aside. A man in a black sui

eyes never left her. Surprisingly, he did not look ste

ature is missing!" sa

abriel commanded. "Jenki

ce drained of color as she read the document. She glanced from the paper to Gabriel and the

Gabriel in an

en married to a man who saw h

until that moment, there was no evidence linkin

or a minute?" Her voice

hair and adjusted his black bl

ack!" His hoarse

t, he stopped in front of the nanny, touched Vivi

challen

ensual mouth. Gabriel had to maintain control to res

of!" Vivian said

d away for a moment and sudde

urious man's quick steps. Viviane

ther side of the desk. He released her arm a

e handed the papers to the terrif

usands of dollars to an account opened in

With tears in her eyes, she tried to convince Gabrie

nd on his flat stomach. "You were married to that thief

now, I swea

say," he paused and leaned forwar

ctions in her name. She had known Pietro since high school, yet

you, my friend! I

nter. "My fiancée and I were discussing our last name.

thout hesitation, she took the papers the justice of

ealed the union by announc

e wore a beautiful white wedding dress to marry a man who promised her the world. Pietro had bee

houghts, "I almost forgot this small detail

arkled. Not even the jewel could bring a

er ring finger. He cupped Viviane's face in his hands and leaned down to kiss her. Instin

f you!" he said,

k Jenkins' hand before saying goodbye. Both were heading for the door when the

talked about

sorry

the door, clutched her fist

me

the door and hugged

rincess!" J

th glanced a

ye to Dadd

without lookin

d the downcast nanny. She released

you

ore the nanny could answer, "Vivian is jus

ard and nodded at h

news for

moved to th

is your n

abriel delivered the news so abruptl

zabeth looked

Viviane

t, fidgeting with th

you." Gabe crouched down t

o?" Liz nestled in

like Rachel. She wi

ck Viviane. Perhaps Elizabeth was th

ungry,

a really good sandwich. When you're done, we'll

e office, leaving the couple alone. Standing u

uddenly. "She only cared about the law firm

sing the same excuse to justify his absence in their daug

thes; we're goin

s,

ed closer and squeezed her shoulders. "But behind closed doors, you can

eath near her ear. She stepped ba

ange my

e is in my ro

hy

he door with his right hand to prevent her fr

shed his nose along her neck. The nanny was completely his. The thought excited him, and h

d. "We'll go! I'll