Married to the Enemy's Son

ces, no footsteps, no warmth. Just the quiet hum of the lights and the distant echo of the sea cra

ord still sat like

e marriage license, he disappeared before I could even speak to him. And now,

tones, that all meals were prepared by the chef, and if I required anything, I should speak with her

gal

ing

the silver band on my finger. It didn't sparkle. It didn'

ospital when I could. Edward had made good on his promise. She had been transferred to a world-class priv

part of this dea

to the house, the illusi

ing with

s marrie

tween our separate wings. I had intended to grab tea from the kitch

ided me towa

was low.

ing and peeked into the open doors of wh

a

ey knew every note by heart. His face was half in shadow, his jaw tense, his ex

turned away.

tche

he s

Didn't look at m

anding there fo

I didn't mean

t. You jus

rd the

"It's the only thing in th

in his voice, but tired, t

play

met mine. Dark, unreadable, i

kno

d to the bar in the corner, and pou

end," he said. "We both

ur father paid for m

you gave up your

d not

y good at that. Turning peopl

t have a

one ever does. Not when it

as he left the room. I turned, watching him disa

ormal charity event that evening-a Lancaster Foundation gala. Press

t been

rse I

ss was delivered-deep emerald green, silk, tight at the waist. A stylist showed

l fel

tate, Jace was already inside. He didn't say

ed... p

nks. Hair neat. Cold

n up well

row. "Don't g

light. Photographers waited outside. A red carpet had been rolled out. When

time he'd touch

ook

as fl

he small of my back, his posture po

ple could see that this

ere greeted

t accomplishment. He introduced us to everyone-donors, politicians,

let go of

d, I saw the tension in his jaw

ed myself from the table and st

rred by city light. But

hind me. "Someone might th

ainst the stone railing

needed a

e or fr

ot

ity, the light catching

him so much?" I

never lets go. You think you're free of him, and then h

one of his mo

ot the only one in this ma

silence fo

something tha

r forgo

ned.

et at that stupid lake house retreat

f. "You told me I'd nev

. "I was sixteen.

d n

w I know better. A

to leave,

g room. If we're going to fool the world, we need

n he wa

hoed. Champagne flowed. The Lancaster name

new bet

ter name w

ust agreed