Beneath the mask

nnounced the engagement to the household, and the staff buzzed with activity, preparing for the upcoming wedding.

pe the chaos. But even there, she couldn't find peace. The books that had onc

lap, the door creaked open. She looked up, expecting to see

e asked, his voice

d her book and set it aside, watching as Luca c

g me," he said, his

fabric of her skirt. "I haven't been avoidi

s elbows on his knees. "And wha

But something about Luca's presence-his q

he admitted, her voice trembling. "I didn't ask

. "I know," he said quietly. "And if I could change it, I would. But this

e quickly blinked them away. "I don't

led back, as if thinking better of it. "You're stronger than you think,"

at him, searching his face for any hint o

to me?" she asked, her vo

n't deserve to be dragged into this world. And because... I see so

didn't know how to respond, so she simply

unning gown of ivory silk that made her feel like a stranger in her own skin. The wedding was set to

staring out at the moonlit garden. She felt a strange mix of emotions-

t sle

te framed by the soft glow of the hallway light. She shook her

. "I keep thinking

. "It's natural to be nervous," he said. "But you'

aching with a mix of emotions. "

this. I know this isn't the life you wanted, but I promise you, I'll do everything in my po

erself to hope. Maybe Luca wasn't the monster she had imagined

of calm wash over her. She didn't know what the future held, bu