PTE

of her gown as she stepped into the hous

tonight felt worse – her first ap

chair in her dressing room

tion, but it was the storm be

back to the vows she had once made with Dane, the pro

her or had it only bou

er, yes, but what good was power

were wors

pressed against her ears

forcing the spira

ar lin

_

n his room, the glow of a single la

on his finger, the silver b

red at it, unmoving, as if tryin

smile curved at the

s mar

h

but it filled a space inside

nd tightening slightly as though the ri

want separ

to feel like a contract seale

er – Lisa –

is life, he had someone

planning on

-

hat crept through the wide

y, the polished oak table set with

g the floor, her back perfectly strai

tance between them more than physical – it

efore them, then withdrawing as though t

ord was

d softly agai

clock on the far wall sou

f water, her throat

again, the sound shar

raped violently a

s at her side, his hand steadying

as

servants standing at

Bronson, the man of i

had

een him do such a

a's shoulder, his eyes fixed with an intens

ked at hi

red if the walls around him were

r than necessary before the straightening,

neasy glances, whispers

shoes striking the flo

approached, a leather fol

, his voice measu

, opening the folder w

edule for

od, his expression u

his throat bef

ala. The city's elite will be in attendance. It will ser

like a stone

ened around her fork

xed but he merel

ther short bow, and withdrew, leavi

the coming evening pre

hear the whisper

Gala

deliers, diamonds of light scatter

Joseph, every step h

s began im

r through the crow

ed it to remain, her hand resti

ipped in, his dark eyes sc

man at his side, his li

ispered, his tone dr

ed with a false nam

, hollow laugh but Dane

wd, a man muttered under his br

stiff

Bronson

ned, envy burn

s smirk returned – sh

ave her reputation, he would mak

his voice cut t

g all attention, "Bronson, I didn't know

ed across t

ng her, cameras flashing like lig

ted as though the insul

n – he

ed across the hall and made

Dane, his smile wa

her?" Joseph said smoothing,

men usually can't forget wh

mix of muffled chuckl

e's face, his com

seph stepped closer to Lis

just enough f

ou don't want them takin

it be known that she is now Lisa Bronson. My wife. A

oseph's power set

of cameras desperate to captu

stunned, relief clas

emed to hold

low and venomous,

egret thi

carried

in silence, heavy wi