nd the strap of her worn leather bag. A cold breeze swept through the morning air, sending a chill

Yet, here she was, staring up at the towering mansion that belonged to him.

r na

turned to the security guard by the gate, hi

ping her voice even, the nam

short nod to someone out of her view. Then, a after two s

up to the mansion. Lena inhaled deeply and forced herself forward. As she walked, she

position for a wealthy businessman. High pay, pri

Not a lot of billionaires hired comple

e had tried to bury her past, it was still chasing her; debt, an eviction notice, consistent low paying jobs,

the one place she swore never to

wo years since she had d

gagement-the one he had never mentio

tell him the truth, a truth that ch

assive double doors of the mansion as they swung open,

rter," the housekeep

olite smile and

-sleek, modern, soulless. Everything was m

house keeper said. "He'll want t

known about him back then. Damien had never mentioned

ela stopped in front of a pair of large double

mi

ng her backward-back to another

seen him, he had been intense but alive. There had b

y were j

ter, his suit as pristine as the rest of him. His amber

but carried herself with quiet strength, her slender frame dressed in a simple white blouse and fitted black slacks. Her lips, natura

; cut her long, waves into a shoulder-length bob, dyed it darker, changed her style and

cognize the woman who had fall

been a relief. Instead, it f

?" His voice

d forced herself

esturing for her to take a seat across from him. He flipped open the file on

er skirt beneath the desk to keep her han

icked up. "

itality," she answered smoothly. "Then

for another moment. He closed the file and leaned back. His ex

ersonal involvement. You are here

nal involvement. She had once been an exception to h

needed---to stay hidden, to survive. Still, it felt like she h

ight, but she nod

long, slow moment. His next wor

t before, M