Mag-log inVivienne's voice was smooth. Controlled. "Margaret. I didn't realize you'd returned." Margaret looked at her. Calm. "I finished early." "From Geneva?" "Yes." Vivienne's smile tightened. "I thought overseeing your late brother's investment matters would take longer. Especially with everything
Edward's POV I stood in front of the mirror. Navy suit. White shirt. Cufflinks I'd worn a hundred times. My reflection stared back. Same face. Same jaw. Same eyes. But something about it felt wrong tonight. Like I was looking at someone I didn't recognize anymore. I adjusted my collar. Smoot
"No. I was just... sitting." “Good. I need to ask you something—and I want you to hear me out before you say no.” I frowned. "Okay." "I want you to come to dinner tonight." A weight settled on my chest. "Dinner?" "At the Valentine Family estate. Seven o'clock." I stood. "Margaret, I—" "Bef
Alicia's POV The law office was on the fourteenth floor. Glass walls. Thick carpets. Everything arranged to make you think lives didn’t crumble here. Elena sat beside me in the waiting room. Her leg bounced. "You sure about this?" I nodded. "I'm sure." A woman appeared at the end of the hall:
"It's really not that complicated, Edward." She set her glass down. "You need a co-host. I'm available." She looked at me. "Unless you've suddenly managed to secure her cooperation. Though we both know how that's been going." The edge in her tone was unmistakable. I held her gaze. Last Saturday
Edward's POV I pulled into the family estate just after noon. The gravel crunched under my tires. The house rose ahead: stone, ivy, windows catching the afternoon light. I turned off the engine. Sat there. My phone had been silent all morning. No messages. No calls. Nothing. I got out. Walked







