Laced with lies

pte

ows in t

eloped the skill of reading between lines-of tracing truth in breath and posture. Her elder sister, Clarisse, was the nurturing one, too patient for co

Allen. To the hesitation in his voice when she brought up Marseille

ker never chan

batical" in 2012. But the post had since been removed. Then came the documents, half-leaked and grainy,

by his rivals. that he had been hiding out in Nice and working on a screenpla

did what her

ed Micha

t a quiet but formidable reputation in discreet circles. He wasn't flashy-he di

e had said on their first meeting. "You're loo

didn't

. Flights logged under aliases. Wire transfers routed through Cyprus. A Swi

Esti

her instincts clenched w

lic eye. Their engagement had been widely celebrated-photos of their matching watches, v

e was living beside a str

risse, ever practical, warned her not to sabotage a good t

omposed, and fiercely independent, she exudes a grace shaped by years of navigating a world that often demanded more than it gave. Her poised demeanor masks a mind always i

ged engagement has sparked more than casual concern. From the beginning, something about the arrangement didn't sit right with Racheal. There were too many half-answers, too many awkward silence

ard phone calls, concealed documents, and shifts in her sister's mood. It's in these subtleties that she sees the cracks. Her protective nature s

sister from a trap disguised as love. And if it means breaking a few rules or unearthing painful truth

re anymore. Because love

told her when they were kids. "Lies grow roots. And if you

r an encrypted f

No message.

suspiciously like a former intelligence asset in the Marseille underworld.

uldn't

ent door the next morning: Stop digging.

eone

l's wor

ers, or Michael. She changed her phone. Booke

e room. Everything about him glowed-his suit, his smile, his effortless charisma. He intro

ime, his hand never str

he

he par

stitch themselves into h

t night. "Love, I missed you.

g was far

r outside a government building she never imagined she'd visit. The win

he accounts match a pattern. He's not doing it for mo

" Her voi

rson anymore. Cru

her stom

eing followed. They knew you'd contact so

rolled past

Se

t suddenly hostile. Michael reached

if you don't take th

in the metal. Then back to the night outsi

him," she

do still. But you're not safe.

breath and nodded. "T