thick with the sounds of a city hospital. She just wanted to get outsid

pleas

arp and demanding, c

stop. She wa

ance, her mask of gentleness gone, replaced by an ugly flush of anger. Axel followed a

abelle demanded. "I was giving you a ki

started to notice, their curio

inder? Miss Vanderbilt, I don't believe we're familia

rmal "Miss Vanderbilt," draw

? Do you still think you're the housekeeper's daughter who succe

ere like a poison dart. The mur

y story was a stain on his name,

's lips. The pain was a familiar ach

ut every word precise, "instead of worrying about my p

tched in Isabelle's hand. "After all, things that come from a

r branch of the Vanderbilts; her entire standing i

e. Her lips trembled with rage. "You.

rriage has three months left. But for these three months, I am stil

he cold logic, left the usually

their expressions shifting from curio

welled with tears as she turned to the silent Axel. "Axel..

use Cleo had insulted Isabelle. He was angry because

eo's wrist. His grip was like ir

ve?" His voice was a low growl of

but Cleo lifted her chin, meeting his furious gaze withou

ance pushed him

dly" interjected from the side, wh

mity was like ga

, his grip tightening, h

e clenched her jaw and said nothing. Her silent, stubborn r

y, "Ah!" and stumbled, as if Cleo's s

Cleo and steadied Isabelle

Isabelle whimpered, leaning heavily aga

athing in his eyes was so cold, so absolute,

ooped Isabelle into his arms and, under the watchful