His Last Regret, My New Life

s, their polite chatter replaced by a chorus of frantic whispers. A scandal was u

ear that?

he's supposed to be eng

Thompsons will b

had me cornered, that he had destroyed my reputation and forced his mother's hand in one fell swoop.

d line. For a moment, I saw the fury of a matriarch whose plans had been defied. But then, her gaze softened almost imperceptibly. The desi

er voice low and dangerous. But there was no talk of send

as going to tell you. This changes everything. You can't force me to marry Sarah now. It would be cruel to Olivia and

ghting for his true love against a cold, arrange

riumphant face to Olivia's carefully crafted vulnerabilit

ed, her authority silencing him. "You have created this m

y stay at the estate. For the sake of the child. You will be given a room

ile faltered for a second before she quickly regained he

ed. She turned back to me, and her expression softened

e stated firmly. "The engagement stands. We wi

He had won the bat

ing, "David, it's okay. I'll wait. I'

ing into one of deep affection. "I know, m

ey were lost in their own drama, I saw my openin

still quiet but clear. "If I am to

rised by my initiative

so crowded. I would be more comfortable somewhere quieter. Somewhere out of the way. I heard that Mr. Ale

younger brother, was a recluse. A brilliant tech innovator who had suffered a "nervous bre

She saw a young woman trying to escape a difficult situa

to warn me about David's increasingly erratic behavior. He was the only Thompson who had shown me any kindness. He died

irst. I would save him. And tog

ompson hesitated. It w

mewhere I won't cause any more trouble. I can work on my

well, Sarah. If that is what you wish. You are a good, considerate girl. You

gratitude. "Thank y

ense suspicion in his eyes. He couldn't understand my move. To him, I

This time, I wasn't the one who needed saving. It was my turn to be the protector. It was m