d up, expecting another late customer, but instead saw a young man standing just inside the doo

ooth but carrying an edge that immediate

e mid-motion.

er with an easy smile. "But I'm W

ting to feel like a shadow looming over her. She set t

ou?" she asked, keep

y, as if he were trying to peel back her layers. "I just w

blinked. "

ter. "Brandon came home yesterday with this dazed look on his face. It didn'

expression steady. "I don't know what he told you,

re. A 'normal conversation.' That

with his casual tone. "If you're here to

eveal something darker beneath it. "Actually, I'm here t

d. "What are you

"You seem like a nice, hardworking girl. But you should

th your family," Cat

n has a way of pulling people in, whether he means to o

skipped. "What are

eyes. "Let's just say the Hartman name comes wi

air. Weston didn't elaborate, but the weigh

ine walked in, carrying a bag of groceries. She froze b

ne asked, her tone

flashing a charming smile.

often. "I see. Is there some

ard the door. "I was just introducing myself

's gaze shift to her, but

getting late, and we're about to

n returning. "Of cours

er word, the door swi

herine immediately.

ll trying to process the encounter.

"Be careful, Catherine. That family ha

ow, Mom. Trust me, I'm

r. Together, they finished closing the shop, though Cath

*

as her thoughts raced. What had Weston meant by "the Hartman name comes with

versation with Brandon in the shop. He had seemed so genuine, so

f bed and pulled out her laptop. She typed "Hartman fam

on's charitable work and the family's contributions to the commu

funds. A former church member claiming they were pressured into

the claims were proven, and most of the article

employee of the Hartman estate. It was filled with vague, bitter acc

Behind the smiles and sermons, there are

dn't know what to believe, but one thing was clear: the

*

y, hoping to distract herself with work. But as soon

ep well, did yo

"I couldn't stop thinkin

r he said, don't let it scare you. People like the Hartmans thrive o

though her mind

their orders, but the unease lingered. Every time the shop

, her worst fear

presence was just as commanding as before, but

aid, his voice st

art pounding. "Brandon.

glancing at Dorine, who was watc

er protective instincts c

y. "Nothing is wrong, ma'am. I j

fore nodding. "Fine

toward the back of the

by," Brandon said,

arms. "He did. And he

ir. "I'm sorry. Weston... he has a way of mak

about your family?" Ca

ing you. And maybe, in some ways, he's right. My family isn't perfect,

herine couldn't ignore the weig

what to think,

pleading. "Let me prove to you that I'm not the

aught, torn between

ut if I sense even a hint of

washing over him. "That

er chest. She had opened a door she wasn't sure she could