e had cleaned the wounds and applied medicine. She could feel the cool ointment on her raw skin. She sat up s

e cold and commanding. "You're c

her voice hoarse. "Look a

ated, as if it were the most reasonable request in the world. "She w

loves to see his prey struggle. The more you fight, the more he enjoys the game. The only way to survive him is to be obedient." At

nd saw the predator his grandfather had warn

pered, nodding m

ing. It was the kind of dress designed to make a woman the center of attention. But on her, with the angry re

luential people. When Scarlett walked in on Julian's arm, a hush fell over the room. All eyes were o

horne must have used t

eard she attacked tha

gar trying to play pr

humiliation she was already enduring. She kept her head held high

of her. He once had a man's mouth sewn shut for making a crude joke about her. Now

on the entrance. A few minutes later, Bethany made her grand entrance. She was wearing a si

d to greet her, pulling out her chair and kissing

y ignoring Scarlett. The contrast between his tender treatment of Bethan

whispered something to Bethany, who th

otion. "Bethany is feeling a bit down. She wants

in was special to them. He had bought her a priceless Stradivarius and told her its beautiful musi

banner of her shame. An assistant brought her the familiar violin case

deep breath and began to play. She chose a piece called "Adagio in G Mino

ound so full of sorrow it was almost tangible. It was the sound of her

a lament for her lost child, for her lost love, for the woman she used to be. As th

captivated by the raw emotion of her performance. Then, Bethan

to be artless and direct. "Are you always this much of a downer,

ared at her

ed softly, reaching out to gently touch Bethany's cheek. "She's

r unfold. Scarlett stood alone on the stage, the violin hanging limpl

-