Tangled In Desire

he Engagement

eflection staring back at her with an expressio

against her skin, but she felt suffocated. Her dark brown curls were

he engagement

o be officially bou

Before she could respond, the door creaked open,

hazel eyes scanning her face

aded in front of hundreds of people as Eric Si

ser. "I still can't believe

agree-he pushed for it. The Monroe business is drown

tly, but she refused to

ands gently. "You do

small smile.

through the hallway. "

steeling herself. "Let

Estate – En

rs illuminated the grand ballroom, casting a golden glow over the impeccably dressed gue

er, her heart pounding as she scanned the

r

His tall frame commanded attention, his dark hair styled pe

, neither of

been raised in the world of high society, Eric

ted smoothly, e

ers in his. The warmth of his touch s

ff, capturing the moment for

ed, his voice low enoug

ther, they stepped onto the stage at the fron

u for joining us tonight to celebrate the union of two great families. I am prou

erupted i

her. She barely had time to process before he reached for he

t felt heavier

ence. To everyone watching, they were the perfect couple. But as Eric

ied down when a shrill vo

idn't exp

a bolt of dre

d-and the

ra

to Eric. She was dressed in a deep red gown, her expression unreadabl

nsed be

lips curling into a smirk. "I gues

d in interest, se

her chest tightening as realization da

dn't sa

was louder than any resp

engagement was about to be more dis

oey could feel the weight of dozens of curious eyes pr

gaze, her confidence unwavering. Zoey's he

wever, w

ened-a flicker of conflict flashing in his blue eyes. He was caught between his past and

r voice was laced with amusement, but Zoey caught the slight edge

t about to let Sarah turn this night into a

Zoey turned to face Sarah fully. "Surprised?" s

just a little, and th

against the stem of her champagne glass. "Oh, I knew something was comi

oling his expression into

more, William Sinclair's deep

hority that silenced the murmuring crowd. His sharp gaze flickered between Sarah and Eric befo

d warning

t a soft chuckle. "Of course. My mistake." She lifte

as Zoey clinked hers against Eric's, she felt the tension radiati

on Eric just a moment too lon

ven c

t – The Sinclai

ip away. She stood by the marble railing of the balcony, staring out a

footsteps

dled tha

ent an unwanted shi

to face him. "Because I'm pretty sure your girl

mply sighed, rubbing his

u. But next time, try to at least pretend you're happy about this arrangement. Y

this?" He stepped closer, his towering frame making her

ground. "Neith

ence stretche

chuckle, but there was no humor in it. "

he whispered. "Because I have no intention of

Eric's lips curved into somethi

t their twisted v