e view from her wing was breathtaking...green fields rolling into the hills, and the s

vet curtains, the antique furniture. Everything was polished and gleaming, as if to

where she had unpacked a few of her things. It felt strange to even think

essing against her skin. A ring that symbolized nothing but cont

oom, her hands had trembled, but there had been a moment. Amidst the formality, s

Call th

he officiant had to have seen it. She had to believe that. It

ting, made her stomach twist with a strange, almost embarrassing

as gone. Her father would have called them. Th

hudded at t

e when she slipped the note into the paperwork. What if they had dismissed it as nothing? What if

lowing hard. She had to be

a knock at the door followed by a voice fro

your meal

ity, another attempt to force her to accept this life. Her stoma

he called back, her voi

s waiting for a different answer. When none came, th

artled by the suddenness, her heart leaping in her chest. There, framed in the doorway, stoo

the room and let the door fall closed behind him,

re was a sharpness there that made her stomach knot. It wasn't

o keep her back straight. She wouldn't let him see how much his p

ied, her voice steady, though her throat

icker of surprise in his eyes. Then his lips curled into a

voice colder than ice.

said, her voice soft but firm, as if s

going anywhere?" He was so close now that she could feel the heat of his body, hear the faint

oston, work hard, and pay back everything my father owes. This"-she

ice lowering to a dangerous whisper. "You think you can pay back $10 million? In what? Your law degree?" He

stunt you pulled in the courtroom

swallow the lump in her throat as he continued. "What we

think you'd be that cruel," she said, her

ere chilling. "If you try anything again, if you pull

s was it. There was no hope. No poli

ndle. "Enjoy your freedom tonight. Tomorrow, your duty s

Rose sank to her knees, her hands shaking as she clutched the fabric of her dress.

to save her. And, for the first time since e