hum of the city beyond the penthouse windows. For a brief, disorient

Rafael Mahe

sband'

eign, bitter, like someth

the lavish bedroom. It was beautiful, in an impersonal sort of way-dark

on the door

l's voice carried through t

hat that would lead to-an unnecessary confrontation, a

padded out of the bedroom, her bare

dy seated at the dining table, dressed impeccably in a dark suit, his sleeves rolled up just

the elegantly plated breakfast. Scrambled eggs, fresh fruit,

breakfast," she muttered,

smoothly, finally looking a

cou

ore out of necessity than hunger. The weight of

e to keep this up?"

t even blink

rly choked.

und sur

I thought this was some temporar

is temporary. Just lo

y. "And then what? We pretend to have an a

ened slightly. "So

trolled, so detached, made

e accused. "With marrying someone you don't lo

dn't change. "Lov

s no humor in it. "Wow. You r

would you have preferred? A fa

k. "But I'd at lea

ows resting on the table, his gaze shar

s breath

egged, pleaded with her parents not

ever stoo

etween them, thick

ushed her plate aw

back in his

arms. "Do I need

le are watching. If you're reckless, t

ed that he

e muttered before tur

ed for her coat, Rafa

rel

d, glancing

ble, but his next words se

ck by

n't a

s an