he engagement party were

Every task, every phone call, was a reminder o

oice a calm, professional monotone as she discussed the details of Graft

e made s

iple times a day, her voi

nt peonies. Only peonies. The ones

are out of season and

on pays you to solve problem

when Grafton was near. Cayla could hea

displays

ome business partners. Cherrelle was at hi

d to the table, her hand possessively on his

o refill wine glasses or take notes. "Isn't that right, Cayla? You'

A reminder to everyone in the roo

ture. Cherrelle

ne of the guests, a man who had known

la. Grafton is lucky to

elle laughed, a light, tinkling

amed with malice. "Sometimes I think she's more attached to Graf

he was painting Cayla as a d

shoulder, a protective gesture. He looked at Cayla, his expression one

across the quiet room. "Don't make our gues

icly shaming her, validating Cherrelle's poisonou

in her head. Know

And she was so close to w

came the night

eing the final setup. The room was a sea of blush pi

relle arrived to

delight. "Oh, Gray, it's perfec

m. It was a long, passionate kiss,

her eyes landing on

rrelle, a smug smile on his

ffer a word of thanks. A simple ackn

custom-printed napkins. It was em

ked she was capable of competence. He then looked around the opulent room, a s

es she had tried to mark for him over the years. The simple cakes she'd bought

al. Her quiet, steady

ing around her waist. He whispered something in her ear

e of happiness. A picture

rself to walk

she said, her voice steady. "If th

g sweetly. "You must be tired. Than

l. The queen than

walked away. She

his was her las