The reluctant vow

ara's consciousness as he discussed "family values" and "merging legacies" with her father. Re

e in here-couldn't think straight. With a polite smile

ething upstairs," she muttere

her phone. Her heart beat faster as she pulled up her messages, scrolling until sh

he finalists for the House of Aramé Model Search. The final selec

the words soak in. This was re

over Kemi's cont

spered once the

ou sound like you j

i, you remember the modeling

kly. "Yeah, of course I remember! You've

voice trembling. "I got an em

shriek so loud Zara had to ya

d! Are you seri

how I'm going to pull this off with all this marriage drama. You should see my house right n

The Regan? He's there? As in your futu

talking about legacies and alliances and all t

mail for a reason. You can't just drop your dreams becau

her voice hardening. "In fact, I want us

ind of

tagram page that looks clean and profes

peak to Lola-she has that camera,

ounded at

breath

t the door.

oice softened. "You've got

her breath. She expected her mother-or maybe even her father, coming to drag her bac

ga

l. But there was something different in his eyes

er phone on the bed,

ght," he said smoothly. Then, after a beat,

a f

h twisted.

casual shrug and turned, his voice floa

r secret's safe w

what he heard-or if he'll use it against her. The power dynamic betwe