was heavier t
with a silver crest she didn't recognize-but somehow already hated. The room smelled faintly of
two lawyers. Beside
was no
thly, sliding the folder closer to Regina. "Though the
rov
sed*. Not *
rov
of legal language stared back at her-clauses, conditions, obligati
blic re
scand
rior to official
ublic appearance
sion b
ct," she said quietl
ly. "In families like yours, Mis
egina's wrist. The touch was light, almos
she said softly. "
her. "Have I ever?" she ask
dn't
s answe
-
e loomed larger th
took in the towering iron bars, the perfectly trimmed hedges, the guard
e had already b
t there t
t
c, her mother had said
whispered as they walked the stone pat
ouse was quie
elt cold despite the warm lighting. Regina's foo
ind of man lived in
one
ne di
care that she had bee
Indifference would hu
f member said finally. "Mr
t realizing she'd bee
upi
rd lin
-
Regina cou
g, the contract's words replaying endles
she was slowly
hone
ge from
ash
t smoothly today. I kne
t the screen, h
egi
er consider
came almos
ash
your strength, Regina.
closed
was
irmation that
-
he walls felt like
notes made no sense. Even the libra
Harris approac
" he said gently, sit
egina replied
ent. "You always say tha
laughed. Al
air," she said s
. "Come out tonight. Just f
a hes
voice echoe
dal. No
ng inside h
ink," s
-
It was nothing like the places her family frequented. No
of place-and s
e and sat alone, watching the crowd. For
she f
res
look
sleeves rolled up, his posture relaxed in a way that fe
re watc
ismis
osses
ent
s breat
e would have remembered that-but the weight of his gaze
eyes
orld seem
't know
t know wh
e thing with ter
about to chan
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