NOR'
ckwood tower was blinding. I blinke
ll
rip was firm, her eyes wide with a mixture of shoc
ed in Donavan's office began to crumble. My s
she demanded, her voice sim
lips. "He thinks I'm acting. That i
blush. Then she pulled me into a fierce, tight hug. "Good for you
ozen world. I felt a stinging heat behind my eyes, but
away and gave her a wea
been slowly suffocating me. I didn't go back to the Blackwood manor. Instead, I d
ictorian manor, its white paint and intricate woodwork a gentle contrast to t
before I even reached it. Her face broke into a w
fter years of being "Luna" or "Mrs. Blackwood." It f
led of old books, lemon polish, and the faint, comfort
ng in a large armchair by the hearth, read
ther, Theo
onavan's icy ones, softened with love and a deep, aching sadness. "
took. The dam
pt. I cried for the lost years, for the endless nights of loneliness, for the p
murmuring soothing words. He didn't ask questions. He just let
him everything. Every cold word from Donavan. Every smug smile from Chris
darker and harder with every word. When I finis
e quiet but vibrating with immense powe
that anymore." My voice trembled. "I just... I don't know what
eanor. Don't you ever think that. The Vance Pack may not have the sheer
k. He unlocked a drawer and took out two thing
d them in
g no room for argument. "The keys are for a pentho
in my palm, stunned.
urposed as your independence fund. You are Eleanor Vance, t
one on his desk and dial
. I'm calling about that project my granddaughter, Eleanor
im smile touching his lips. "E
our talent was never meant to be buried in a loveless marriage,
the smooth plastic of the card in my hand. I he years, a flicker of ligh
rejected Luna of t
Eleano
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