ne's

ared the same bed, night after

ceremony between us, yet I convi

accept me. As long as I handled everything well for him, I thought he

he truth. He had never plan

ng, that title b

ow quiet I had become. "Even after we break the mate bond, you'll still be part of the

ien

d hit m

harply, pain ris

wanted to use something as distant as "friend

y lips as I tried to steady mysel

hesitation. "Lianne, don't make t

he tears from spilling, my n

o say earlier?" Ethan

mportant. It was about Sparkle's new season jewelry launch. There was s

ncy now would only mak

omeone like me. The only pers

e showing as he reached out to to

ithout thinking an

in the air before he pulled it b

in the guest room tonight." Without

rength gave out, and I sank besid

whispered. "I can't giv

.

myself out of bed, ignorin

ed pale, with exhaustion cl

l, carefully covering the dark cir

a wide range of business

solute authority as CEO, while

ere meant to be together, but now it fe

able, sipping his coffee. He had changed into a dark gray

aside and looked at me, his voice steady, as

nd a chill spread

id, how could he act a

ng our bond, we should keep our distance. If Miss Brooks sees us together, it might ca

im to answer, I turne

led my lungs, making me cough. A fai

one," I murmured as I

e, my assistant rushed toward me, her face dra