The Husband I Never Loved

ability on her tongue. Three days. Seventy-two hours before she

low over the white silk sheets tangled around her. She sat up, her mind already racing thr

ng an obedient wife, he wa

the door interrup

chooling her expression

e-a woman who had worked for the Aldridge family for over two decades.

ne has arranged for a forma

asn't the type to let an arrangement like this sit in

inued. "Your father insists yo

ug into her palms.

g against her, but she refused to let it show. If she wa

The Hawtho

marble floors, and the scent of expensive wine and fresh roses lingered in the air. The room was filled w

lue gown that hugged her figure, the slit high enough to make

presence befo

ably tailored black suit. He was speaking to a group of execut

darkened

Let hi

te, each step a silent declaration that

y as she reached him, his tone

r a glass of champagne from a passin

ver her, assessing.

the edges of her lips. "Careful, Hawthorn

d at his lips. "Let's no

ond, her father's voi

tured for her to join him in front of the gathered guests. Beside h

the fabric of her gown. She hesitated for only a frac

the center of the room,

of dominance in the industry. "This union marks the merging of two legacies, two empires. My daughter, Seraph

filled

ile in place, even as

a mere whisper against her ear. "Try not to

rp enough to cut. "I'll smile wh

Oh, sweetheart, you have no idea

in her veins solidifying. If he wa

tailored suit, but she was not the kind of woman