na

f a period drama and I sat in the passenger seat trying to calm

at a charity event six months ago, fell in lov

el, black and expensive and not something I would ever pi

e in love, I'll handle the rest."

t anyway because I

ardens and windows that probably cost more than my entire neighborhood, and

llways lined with paintings and sculptures into a dining room where t

new immediately this was Richard Blackwell because he had th

und the small of my back. "F

e immediately masked and I felt like I was being examined under a

o." My voice came out

gesturing to a man who looked like a younger v

didn't reach his eyes and also the surprise i saw

autiful in a way that made me feel inadequate, all p

rvous to eat, and Richard started asking questions immedi

did you and Adri

s ago." I repeated the stor

n finished. "Elena was there wit

ed he didn't believe a word. "And you d

hed over and took my hand and I tried

is steak. "And what do y

cussed this. "I was studying literature

ard looked up

My throat tightene

e was flat. "And now you're mar

Adrian sa

back to his food. "Young woman loses her parents,

room and this mansion and never come back, bu

ove," Adrian said. "Th

wasn't kind. "James here is a

arm around Maya. "Can't

days of each other." Richard looked between them.

I could feel tension rol

said. "I married Elena because I

d up. "Come with me, Elena, I

-" Adria

." Richard was already moving toward the door

ood up and followed Richard out of the dining room a

d this dinner?" Richard a

o meet me." I was struggli

one of my son's schemes." Richard stopped in front of a ma

e portrait and

ark hair and dark eyes and facial structure, like I was l

rd said watching my fac

ds barely came out. "H

s voice was casual like he was discussing th

woman who looked like she could be

lot of questions unanswered." Richard started w

nking about Sophia's face, about how much we looked alike,

ood around my plate while Richard asked more questions and J

ng and she stopped me in the hallway. "Elena, can I sh

t Adrian who was ta

m that was bigger than my childhood bedroom, a

ll you somethi

Wh

was low. "She jumped off their balcony, I was ther

weak. "She k

" Maya looked at the door like she was worried someone would walk in. "A

rtrait." My vo

d you, he's lying." Maya grabbed my arm. "Run