Book 1: Chapter 4

Callen stepped forward, his stride steady and sure. Hugo clapped a hand on his shoulder. "The family's future rests with you now, Callen. Leigh has shamed us all, chasing his own whims over the family interests. Let him have his freedom. The Holt heirship is no longer his." Callen's gaze met mine, deep and searching. "Ms. Voss, I'm a practical man. I don't have a head for romance, and I won't be taking you shopping or sipping coffee in fancy parlors. But I swear this: if you marry me, I'll protect you with my life, always. Will you have me?"

A smile broke across my face, warm and genuine. "I will."

Under the swelling strains of the wedding march, I slipped my veil back on and exchanged rings with Callen, sealing our vows as husband and wife.

Relief flooded through me, a weight lifting from my shoulders.

This time, I'd broken free of Leigh's shadow. And I'd taken his birthright with me.

I wondered, after losing everything for Sloane, would Leigh finally regret it?

Leigh's scandalous exit—abandoning his bride for his mistress—spread like wildfire through our circles overnight.

The next day, as Callen and I sat down to breakfast with his family, Hugo sent for Leigh.

To everyone's surprise, Leigh didn't come back by himself. Sloane entered with him, clutching a newborn, her presence a defiant spark in the tense air.

Sloane wore a designer coat and glittering jewelry, her delicate frame leaning into Leigh with a practiced fragility.

She held the baby close, her voice syrupy as she greeted Hugo and Elowen. "Mr. and Mrs. Holt, I'm Sloane. This is Ellis, your grandson."

She cooed at the baby, her smile smug and triumphant.

Hugo and Elowen's faces darkened with fury. "Leigh," Hugo growled, "this is our first family gathering with Lira and Callen. How dare you bring her here?"

Leigh stood his ground. "Father, Mother, how can you say that? Sloane nearly died giving birth to Ellis. He's your grandson!

"Sloane and I are in love. I've made up my mind—I'm going to marry her and make her my wife."

Sloane gazed at him, her eyes shimmering with feigned emotion. "Leigh, your love is all I've ever wanted. Ellis and I can live without your family's approval. Please, don't fight with your parents over me."

Leigh pulled her close, his voice thick with devotion. "You gave me a son, Sloane. My whole family owes you gratitude. I've decided—you don't need to convince me otherwise. You'll be my wife."

Then he noticed me entering in my elegant gown, and his tone softened, dripping with false sincerity. "Lira, I know yesterday was hard for you. I left you alone to face all those guests, and that wasn't right. To be honest, I didn't expect you to handle it so gracefully. Don't worry, I'll make it up to you.

"When I talked about canceling our engagement, it was just in the heat of the moment. I'll treat you right moving forward.

"Sloane's given me a son, so I have to marry her. But you can still be part of my life. She's gentle and not cut out for running a household. You could take charge of things and have a place of honor. You and Sloane will get along just fine, won't you?"

His words churned my stomach. I opened my mouth to fire back, but someone beat me to it. "Leigh, what are you saying to my wife? Lira, come, breakfast is ready."

Callen stepped out from behind me, his arm slipping around my waist with a gentle, protective touch.

Leigh's jaw dropped. "Your wife? What are you talking about? Lira was supposed to marry me, not you!"

Callen's smile was calm but razor-sharp as he took my hand, his grip firm and warm. "No, Leigh. You ran off to your mistress and left the ceremony unfinished. You're not her husband. Everyone in our circle knows that yesterday, I was the one who put a ring on her finger and spent the wedding night with her."

Leigh's face contorted with rage. "Impossible! Father, Mother, how could you let him do this? You've made our family a laughingstock!"

Hugo's expression was thunderous. "You're worried about our reputation now? If it weren't for Callen, our family would've been the joke of the century yesterday!"

Suddenly, a sharp announcement cut through the quarrel.