LOGINKieran frowned. “What do you mean?”“I gave her the dress,” Nora hiccuped. “I went into that closet you always say not to go into and I found it and I thought Mommy would look pretty in it. So I put it in her suitcase.”My heart stopped.No. No, she was lying. Nora was lying for me because she could
Charlotte’s POVI froze, looking down at the burgundy silk dress. “What’s wrong with it?” I asked.Kieran’s voice was low and dangerous. “Where did you get it?”“Sophia gave it to me. She said you bought it—”“I didn’t buy you anything.” His eyes were cold. “That dress belonged to my wife.”The word
Charlotte’s POVBy the time we got back to the suite, all three of us were exhausted. Nora’s eyes were barely staying open on their own, and even Kieran looked worn out—and he never looked worn out, so that was saying something. I felt that pleasant ache of a day spent in the sun, the kind that made
Charlotte’s POVThe beach was even more beautiful up close. White sand stretched for what looked like miles in either direction, and the water was so clear I could see straight to the bottom. A few other guests were scattered along the shore, but it wasn’t crowded.Nora let go of my hand and ran str
Charlotte’s POVSophia rushed over, smiling wide. I looked at Kieran, certain that he would tell her there had been some mistake. But he didn’t.“You knew?” I asked, staring at him.“I thought I mentioned it,” Kieran said, glancing at me. “Sophia offered to come along as an extra set of hands. In ca
Charlotte’s POVSaturday morning arrived fast, with sunlight streaming through the windows and the sound of Nora was already awake by the time my alarm went off, and I knew from the sound of her excited voice in the hallway that she likely had been up for at least an hour.I climbed out of bed and p
Charlotte’s POVBy the time Kieran came home that day, it seemed he had already gotten wind of Nora’s good performance at training—likely through William. He wasn’t smiling—he never did—but he also didn’t look disappointed.“I heard you had a good day,” he said as we sat down for dinner.Nora nodded
“Trust me when I say this, Kieran.” I took a step forward and tucked my chin, looking up at him through my brows. “I would never be interested in a man like you. Not in a million years. In fact, you repulse me with your arrogance, cruelty, and selfish pride.”“Oh, please. I saw the way you looked at
She was gone before I could say anything, but the look in her eyes softened me somewhat. I didn’t even get a chance to ask her name, and yet, looking at her, I felt a strange connection to her, like we understood each other in a way no one else could.My stomach churned then, gurgling as if in remin
Charlotte’s POVMy face went aflame.Whore.The word stared up at me, mocking me, ugly and hateful. No wonder people were laughing at me.“Who did this?” I demanded, spinning around to face the hallway. Several servants were lingering nearby, pretending to be busy with their tasks. “Who put this on







