eather chair waited beside an elegantly styled landline. He lowered himself into the tall

y when the call connec

ou had forgotten my existence," Harry Meyer's rough voice answered with drunken a

arry. I am finalizing something. A ma

silence

or you to claim?" Harry asked with a sharp laugh. His voice dripped with sa

said Naven, his tone brisk and unwavering. "A few weeks back, I heard whispers that your associates in Berlin want you to proj

ble. Having a decorative wife scores easy points. She should b

someone better. Lorena Viera. She's young, sophisticated, well-educated. Her family

tilla? I've already been offered someone from the De La Cruz family, but t

t helpless-she has a mind of h

ent, y

asy to shape. A man like you will know exactly

out a laugh that was rough,

son of a b

omposure. "Takes

you getting

make it a point not to forget when someone's i

me

Cruz. Don't approach her. Don't talk to

was no fool-he knew Naven never

o Harry's reply. "Well, well... Wha

e close to her is under my protect

he old days. The eternal game of leverage and alliances. I

eady by tomorrow. Agree to the terms, show up

d doors, I can do

st know this-if you mess this up, t

ve my p

" Naven replied, and he ended the c

ir was aware of what had just unfolded. Somewhere between those words, a life had been traded for anoth

ht. From the Hippodrome's vantage point, the city glowed with restless energy, empty words

played by his own rules-a man whose gaze wa

eyes, there was no sign of regret

ne could say for sure whether she was the queen, but Naven had alr

body moved through the world, but her thoughts stayed anchored in that suite-with Na

Now she stood between two lives-one as a university student chasing norma

er skin. For a moment, Sofia pressed her palm to the wood, st

eared in a robe the color of spring violets, her fac

ut, arms open for an embr

ered her b

he words tasted hollow. She needed just

dark in Sofia's usually lively eyes, and simply slipped her han

? They brought up a plate of fresh raspberri

to sit with you for a while," she

na, still unsure what had shaken her friend, pressed closer and l

e you reall

e distant, as though waiting f

amber streaks. That was when the phone on the bedside table rang, sharp and unexpected. C

el

watching as Catali

hat do you me

lence filling the room until

talina responded quiet

ning, lost in thought. Her eyes m

g through her words. "They said there won't be an engagement anymore. No wedding.

as coming. Secrets pressed at her ches

ng Catalina's hands in hers. "Ther

locked onto he

happ

admitted, gaze dropping.

oss Catalina's face,

ld you d

never wanted. You've always stood up for me. You're more than a friend

d slowly, struggling t

d you te

ed him to shield you from tha

ew men like Naven Fort never offered favors

er composure, Sofi

sed to m

gaze stayed locked on Sofia, lips parted, her breat

l me you really did this.

and nodded, silent tear

o Harry. He's dangerous, Cata. Y

uth, eyes filling with tears t

ouldn't have to su

"Don't. What's done is done. I'd mak

ng back and forth,

men. He's ruthless, impossible to predict. Women chase after him, but none ever

ho he is. But I can handle it. I've always been the s

, clutching Sofia's hands as if she coul

thank you for this... Or

here's nothing you owe me, not ever. Just promise me you'll find

e. Sofia held her close, just as she had countless times before-through late-night

h other in wordle

gs, one name kept circling through Naven's thoughts-Morgan. He hadn't counted on that surname. He had

again soon-perhaps he'd send for her, or maybe she'd walk through those doors on her own.

r. Catalina knew every corner, every secret of the small space. Years of friendship

nsisted on staying, and Sofia was too tired to object. Truthfully, she was gratef

k ticked past tw

d beneath her, swaddled in a thick wool sweater t

efused

th worries she c

perceptive, would surely hear the tremor in her voice. Her father, the formidable Alessandro Morgan, would press for answers with that unyieldi

an she hardly knew, all to spare a friend from misery? And how could she admit that th

red about him. Now she wa

who would destroy reputations or entire fortunes just to tip the scales in his favor.

rself swept up in h

to her face, trying

, anxiety, and something else she couldn't quite name. It wasn't simply the power he held. It was the way he watched her

family share any history? Sofia longed for answers she could pull from a forgotten letter or a digital f

ment. She could already imagine her father'

d to keep the chill at bay, though it was

undo it all? What if turning

finally free from the burden that had haunted her for so long

ouring a glass of water with unsteady hands. The glass rat

e whispered, hoping the wor

new it wa

harply cut suit, his face impossible to read, his voice

nt pawn, a beautiful ornament to display? Did he draw bou

rength from the cool metal. Her gaze drifted to the photos of Alex

used to collapse. She was a Morgan. Her father's words echoed in her mind: "Sofia, always remember y

hat she cl

close. At last, she let herself cry in the dark. These tears were not for regr

ked toward the window. Night had begun to fa

was on i