Framed Bride, Fierce Lover

rhythm, and violins played in the background like whispers of perfection. She stood in the center of it all, poised and radiant in a midnight blue g

gaged to the dashing and ambitious Ethan Langston. Her father had passed two years ago, but she had worked t

The woman's voice dripped with manufactured sweetness, too po

ess skin, pearls at her throat, and a cocktail dress that screamed power and old money. Yet

But the moment Zelda disappeared into the crowd, Rosafina exhaled slowl

tonight," came a

epsister. Petite and sharp-featured, Yvonne looked like she'd step

r her breath. They both laughed, but t

age your wedding?" Yvonne asked

a froze

he is. She never liked Ethan. Or

d with Colette Anderson,Zelda's goddaughter, her supposed family friend. They were too close. Colette's hand lingered on

her glass sudde

ng eyes with Rosafina and

ormed in the pit of Rosafin

dazzling smiles and easy charm. He kissed her cheek.

arely meeting his eyes. "

his expression. "She was just telling me abou

urning her tongue. She had played this

e's betrayal,could have pre

usic

officers pushed through the cro

?" one of the of

turned toward

ce trembled, b

fraud, and criminal breach of trust.

ped. "No,there'

s. Photographers flashed their cameras, guests whispered beh

out, "say somethin

e. His jaw clenched.

standing behind him, watchin

ayal was

candal. Her heels scraped against marble floors. Her hair was yanked as they pushed her head down an

utation, her love-disintegra

d she had known sha

ever saw

Months

rison cell. Her once luminous skin was pale. Her eyes no longer

ing her stomach churn. Prison had stripped her of everything: luxury, privacy, p

e forged documents. The hidden accounts. The

d delivered the final blow, and Ethan-the man s

ow to fight when needed, how to never trust a friendly fac

r all, was be

Years

, the rain splattering against the concret

a small bag of what little she owned. Her once glossy hair was now tied in

looked around. No one waited. No d

s trul

eek, ominous, and too expensi

dow rol

a deep, unfamiliar

for one," she

dn't ha

opened. Two men in black suits st

fi

art raced. "W

ne of them said. "Orders f

. "I'm not some th

"Then you should've been more careful w

. Of

e had been auctioned off-her name, her bo

street behind her. She could run. But wh

the man

s time,

a Stones wasn't

aladonors was. No matter what he wanted. And wh