tall and commanding, the dark cut of his suit only intensifying the power he carried. Cameras flashed, fans s

ly, the softness vanished. His jaw hardened, his expression cooling into stone. Whate

earing a path for the pair. Gasps and excite

. "I can't believe it's you. You didn't even tell anyone you were r

s she supposed to take permission from you before coming ba

urving into something between a smile and a warning. "Yes, I'm back. And this time, it's for good. But don't exp

. sharper. Not the innocent girl I once knew. I should be

ugh her eyes glittered. "Sister, what do you mean? I was only

Aria's elbow. His gaze flicked once more toward Julian, unreadable. "We s

on itself-when she had been young, shy, and in love with the man she was told would be her betrot

htly around Maya's lit

continued sweetly, slipping free of Damian's

rp laugh. "Thril

rents had never wanted Julian near him. They never be

o the little girl in Clara's arms. She tilted her head, curio

k, eyes blazing. "Don't you dare. Don't

. Paparazzi flas

ng to julian's coat as if afraid of the world..Her child? A thousand thoughts floo

g rapidly, caught o

e snapping back in place like a mask. "It was

his time, almost clipped. He guided A

h false affection. "Sis, we'll see each other aga

d Ferrari. The engine roared, and in seconds

ath, "Meeting that bitch ruins the mood." Then she turn

see any of them. I just wanted to settle in first, keep things quiet

l her a goddess. If only they knew the truth-t

Ferrari had vanished, her chest tight. "Let them

me on. The little one needs rest. Le

ng the luggage cart with one hand and holding Maya's tiny palm with the other.

ckseat before shutting the do

later you'll have

...they disgust me and I really don't

er little voice breaking the heavy quiet

rearview mirror. "Sweetheart, some people wear pretty masks, but th

ere clouded with confusion. She curle

ping the wheel. "If Aria thinks she can spit po

fly. For the first time in six years, she was back in New York. Bac