Tangled in Silence

she had only been spoken of because of the scandal. But

ents were kind, but the questions came fast. The subtle probing of

ked at her with suspicion, he spoke up-pointing out her accomplishments, her strength, th

ct her, but there was so

ing pe

were seated in the grandiose living room

"I didn't expect this." His eyes softened slightly. "But seeing

a f

hear tha

s expression was neutral, but his hand, resting o

tiffly, not sure what to m

f course. It's about family. We'd always known Cal would need som

d. Was that a complim

sure," Eleanor continued, her gaze fl

t Nora's in a fleeting touch. For a moment, the

et herself feel

spective rooms. But Nora couldn't sleep. She lay awake in

t scared her more than the rumors, more than the offic

st about the

s abo

abou

of freshly brewed coffee winding its way through the hallways. Nora had barely slept. Her thoughts refused t

he garden to clear her head. But as soon as she stepped into th

a

ed down in a black hoodie and joggers that somehow still looke

he said, his voic

o her feet. "C

dded.

Nora made a move to pass him. But he sur

, jerking his chin

invitation. I

w clinging to the grass beneath their feet. The estate grounds were breathtaki

ast night," Cal said f

ch p

if they're going to come for you, th

. That was

she said, her tone cautious. "I'm not

plied. "That's

opped w

at suppose

ually deal with. You don't play the game. You don't flatter me, chase me, preten

her neck, but she

I'm pregnant, people think I slept my way to the top, and your family is pr

d, but he did

she whispered. "This is

ured, stepping clo

had dropped to that husky, intimate tone he u

w it made her

to marry you,"

twitching at his lips. "

cause under the sarcasm, there was some

just like that, the moment passed. Cal turned and

waiting on the veranda, her teacup p

she observed, her tone l

a walk," Ca

How sweet. You'll make a lovely

e inside of

awkward détente. The office needed him to return to the city-urgent

tay," Ca

sing them both. Go. Handle what

ething unreadable f

you s

no

of Eleanor's quiet scrutiny and Mr. Prescott's well-intentioned expectation

e time for her t

denly cared about her reputation. About how this

omething dangerou

o the 29th floor fe

me wall for the third time, and inhaled deeply. The city skyline

ons halted. Eyes turned. Smirks flickered. She walked past the reception desk with her head hel

at the se

's his s

She's pregnant.

he trapp

be good at

ough her skin like barbed wire. But it did. Every word was a lash, every glanc

computer screen glowed. Her planner was right whe

ing the fallout of last week's media buzz. Nora had insisted she di

harder than

"hope you're feeling better" notes from people who had never spoken to her before. The thinly veiled comments about p

ump you afte

d threw it in the tras

iates fell silent mid-laugh. One of them glanced at Nora's

ing?" Nora a

n," the girl said, biting into a

ry working harder. Or is ba

a laugh. Nora walked out without another word, sh

in weeks. She w

sk, there was a sleek black

te. N

knew it