From Captive to Cherished Wife

, a flicker of something unreadable in his dark eyes. Eloise Bowers. He knew her, of course. She had been attached to

, driven by emotion, and tragically blind to t

e. He saw the way she looked at Holde

ng is off. But the bri

esperation or absolute conviction. Alphons found himself in

tanding by the entrance in the same elegant dress she' d worn to the rehearsal. She

e said. It was

studying her. "You' re willing to throw aw

tated flatly. "The losses have already been incurred. The question is, are you willing to let your fa

t, humorless laug

, her gaze unwavering. "The

shattered just hours ago, and saw not a victim, but a qu

ise took out her phone. She opened Holden' s contact, pressed 'Block,' and then did th

re the pounding star

d with fury. "Eloise! Why aren't you answ

she said, he

ou blocked me? What the hell is wrong with

ed, her tone dripping with mock politene

ed, his voice echoing in the large house. "She' s resti

ding back on?" Eloise

onizing gentleness. "Of course, honey. It' s just postponed. W

the word sharp and

you talk

us, Holden. It' s

h up. "Over? You' re breaking up with me? Bec

out the facts. You made your choice in front of two hundred people. You chose her. You humil

n't und

t respect me. You don' t value me.

as tight, bruising. "Who do you think you are t

t his hand on her arm, then back up at h

ing strength. "I' m not waiting for

eal fear. He had assumed she would alw

alread

, his voice laced with a threa

the final end of their relationship. She leaned against the door, her body tre

-