ler sounded from the doorway. "Mr. Sterling, Mrs. Sterling has ret

glance at Frances, then straightened his shirt. His

orcelain teacup held perfectly in her manicured fingers

lass shards, pinned her son to the spot. "Explain yourself,

anding," Evan mumble

sk of contrived sympathy. "Frances, my dear, I am so sorry you

er gaze and s

d out, "Are you worried about her, Mother, or ar

ained her composure. "The Sterling family's reputation is paramou

Of course. It was always about the shares her mother had left her

nt," Victoria declared, her voice leaving no room f

uttered a sullen, "I'm sorry

s tired of her role. "If you'll excuse me," she said, her v

ing Victoria's warni

ing her like a physical weight. They didn't care about her. T

the bed. A new message

t. It was ju

caught in

tinum band. It was lying in a black velvet box, its facets catching some unseen light, throwing off sparks of

message

this

It wasn't a promise of love. It was a p

as their smiles. And here, in the palm of her hand, was a picture

recognized it. It was hope. For the first time all day, her eyes

cross the screen,

back thr

ove

release washed over her. A decision

of a promise from a man she barely knew, a man who was already more of an ally th