جميع فصول : الفصل -الفصل 20

I stared at the large clock hanging above the examination hall. Two minutes left. My pen hovered over the final question of my advanced pediatric nursing paper. I read my answer one last time.Exhaled loudly. And closed the booklet. Done. Finally, incredibly, wonderfully done.The weight of the past four years lifted off my shoulders so fast I felt lightheaded. No more midnight cramming sessions.No more falling asleep on textbooks. I was twenty-two years old, and I was officially finished with my final nursing exams. The invigilator called for our papers. I handed mine over with a smile I couldn't suppress.When I pushed through the heavy double doors of the campus building, the bright afternoon sun almost blinded me. "Grace!"Before my eyes could even adjust, a blur of energy collided with me. Mia wrapped her arms around my neck

The wrought-iron gates of the Reeves Estate looked less like the entrance to a home and more like the entrance to a fortress. Yes the Reeves estate An official invitation was sent to us from the Reeves for Lunch and to discuss wedding preparations As our car slowly drove up the massive, winding driveway, I pressed my hands against my lap to stop them from shaking. "Holy..." Mia whispered from the backseat, her face practically pressed against the window."Grace, you aren't marrying a man. You're marrying a kingdom."My dad chuckled from the front passenger seat. "Behave yourself, Mia. Don't go touching their expensive vases.""I make no promises, papa Zane," Mia grinned, leaning forward to rest her chin on my shoulder. "Besides, as Grace's unofficial sister, it is my duty to inspect the premises." Dad smiled warmly at that. Since my mom passed away, Mia had practically lived most times a

The private dinner at the Reeves Estate was beautiful, intimate, and exhausting.By the time the clock struck eleven, my father had been escorted to a luxurious guest suite on the ground floor, Ethan had driven Mia home, and Grandmother Eleanor had dramatically announced that she was retiring for the evening."Goodnight, my beautiful children," Eleanor had said, kissing my cheek before giving Alexander a pointed, entirely unsubtle look. "Do not let me see either of you before nine o'clock tomorrow morning." My face had instantly burned.Alexander had simply nodded, his expression completely blank. "Goodnight, Grandmother." And now, here I was. Standing in the absolute center of the General's private master suite in the East Wing. The room was larger than my entire childhood home. It was decorated in deep charcoals, crisp whites, and dark mahogany wood.It smelled faintly of cedar and his expensive,

Grandmother Eleanor glided into the kitchen, looking as elegant as ever in a silk morning gown, tapping her cane lightly on the marble floor. Behind her walked Alexander's father, Richard, and my dad, Daniel, both dressed comfortably and looking wide awake. "Good morning, everyone," I stammered, stepping back nervously and wiping my hands on my apron. "Morning, Gracie," my dad smiled brightly. He looked incredibly energetic, though he was gripping his phone tightly in his hand. "Though it smells like a bonfire in here.""Grace cooked," Alexander said simply, picking up his coffee. Eleanor approached the island, raising her silver eyebrows at the black remnants on the plate. "Oh, my sweet girl," Eleanor chuckled, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "You do not need to cook. But it is entirely fascinating that my stubborn grandson is actually eating it without a single complaint."Richard laughed, a booming, warm sound.

The Reeves Estate had grown incredibly quiet over the past few days. Grandmother Eleanor, Richard, and my dad had all returned to their respective homes earlier in the week. As much as I missed my dad's cheerful humming and Eleanor's sharp, witty remarks, the silence left me to figure out what it actually meant to be the lady of this massive fortress.And I thought I had finally found a way to be useful. The foyer was entirely overrun with flowers. There were dozens of massive, extravagant arrangements. Orchids, exotic lilies, and rare roses in heavy crystal vases. They had been arriving for two days straight-wedding gifts from foreign ambassadors, state politicians, and military officials who weren't invited to the private ceremony but wanted to pay their respects to the General.They were beautiful, but they were just sitting there. Alexander hadn't even looked at them when he walked past them the night before. I, however, couldn't stop looking at them. As a pediatric nurse, I