Her Escape From Their Broken Promises

ark Thompson. But his heart had always

n two powerful families, not a bond o

didn't ask her to end it.

f Olivia entering a hotel room with a man she' d never

s ruined in a single morning. Whispers followed her in the

e silent. Mark himself was unreach

r. The river below looked dark and final. The humiliation was a physical weigh

ia, do

arm, pulling her

er brother. His face was filled with

h it," Ethan sa

embrace, holding her

"I always have. While he was chasing Sophia, I wa

shielding her from the gossip and rebuilding her shattered confidence. For the first time in

planned quickl

the study, intending to say goodnight to Etha

. "Once I marry Olivia tomorrow, she' s officially out of the picture. T

ghed. "And Mark

ia without any tarnish on his name. This was the only

anipulator. She wasn' t a bride; she was an obstacle be

e fled the house, running blindly into the stormy night. Rain soaked through h

d across the street. It was an advertisement for the armed forces, honorin

pare

vice to their countr

as their

ning away the despair. She would no

ut toward a new purpose. She went to the home of Mr. Henderson, a close frien

yes widening in surprise

e steady despite the shiver in her bon

serious. He led her inside, war

erasure. A new identity, a lifetime of secrecy. Y

bject. It was her father' s medal, its ribbon stained with a f

her voice unwavering. "My

e, her hand firm. As she wrote, she noted the date at the top of

eased to exist. She had broken free from the