RA
del waited in the driveway. No one from my family came out to say goodbye. I walk
ilent blur. I watched the trees give
empire. Their territory was the entire downtown financial d
e and descended into a heavily gu
r me by the private elevators. He had a calm,
Kael Heath, Beta to Alpha Carlisle. Welcome to The
replied, keeping my v
e elevator. There was only one
f into knots. I was about to face the man who had
ure into a state of absolute, icy composure.
massive, minimalist office surrounded by f
skyline. Even from behind, the sheer, suffocating pr
ubmission. But the fire that had burned away my scar had burn
d." He stepped back into the elevator, the doors s
lowly tur
his face, my heart gave a
m. Damien
sharp jaw, the dark, piercing eyes that had looked at me with such raw
petrichor still clung to h
. I simply lifted my chin, me
t over my face, my hair, the c
s no rec
uating a spreadsheet. He didn't remember me. To him, the woman standin
relief. If he didn't connect this flawless woman to the s
nding rumble that echoed in the quiet office. It l
edged, my voice smooth, pol
k and sat down. He pushed a thick leather
aid, not breaking eye contact. "Read it.
ocument. The clauses were brutal. A one-year marriage on paper. No physical con
s strictly forbidden from attempting to act as a maternal figure to the
. He was making sure I knew my place. I was a political prop, and I wa
I'm not here to p
folder. My hand didn't tremble. I didn't hesita
to him, meeting his dar
e brisk and professional, "I would like t
on. He reviewed my signature, then waved his hand dismissively toward a si
, opened it, and closed it
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