el, the Swan Hotel, was filled w

legant gowns sparkled beneath the lights, an

a custom-made black suit. Cold indiff

attracted plenty of attention. The "Angel's Heart" necklace rested around her n

the hall, every guest

t Miss Phoebe Brooks beside him?

ried? How come no one ever se

she refuses to appear in public. Just look at the woman he broug

arm closer. Her movement appeared casual, but she

erstand one thing. She was the wom

al announcement. "Ladies and gentlemen, two honored guests will be joining us now. P

ately swept ac

ul business empire and ranked amon

daughter had never attended a public ev

from an illness. Others believe

their attention to

pher raised

is heartbeat someh

e grand do

ce gave him a sharp look. He wore a dark gray suit that strengthened his commanding air, an

olored gown came into sight. Then,

For one brief moment, the entir

features gave the woman a

ch light. Their deep color added royal elega

r chin slightly. Then, she calm

quickly spread th

at h

y Damien's yo

e's absolutely

n't tear his eye

w that

ened as he stu

ked exactly

as smoother, her features exquisitely

ecognized t

ree years, those same eyes had always

hole body stiff, and cold d

the Holden couple's

ingers closed harder around his arm, and h

oice shook. "Could th

er gave

a while she walked beside Da

irection. Her eyes showed nothing but indifferen

er, pain, or remaini

ng at

topher's chest and sent a

for Leyla before takin

something to her. In response, a

istopher seen her

med like she had always been c

rent from the nervous look she had

ing. Then, she spoke quietly. "Kristopher, shouldn't we go greet them? We

stopher di

ce. Her mouth lightly touched the edge before she took a sip. Every small act

something on

tinued to ignore her. She pulled urgently at

ze and swallowed against the tightness in

his sister?" someone asked in

s face. "Mr. Holden, it's wonderful to have you here. Please forgive me for failing to welcome you at the

toast. "That's very kind of you. Allow

swept throu

... Thorpe?" he repeated, voice cautio

ing composed. "Yes. I took

every word rang clearly

an invisible pressure c

a Th

as her s

never asked about her

an with no relatives left. And he

ot cared enough to

ears humbling herself before him, who w

no

ating. "Ms. Thorpe, you've certainly kept a low profile. After a

how my face?" Leyla said, a kn

ved a hand. "Not at all. You really

la's health was poor these past few years, so she stayed away to recuperat

, his gaze warm with u

s curled into fis

th had b

plashing across his suit and her face ruine

simply strong enough

d she had endured it

ice broke through his thoughts.

a appeared, he had b

reality and shoved down the chaos

n?" Phoebe murmured. "We'll be working

aze remained l

d tilted toward him. The champagne-colored

jaw finer and more delicate th

face after the

she had never t

les pounded as me

er endless effor

r demeanor suffocating-weak, cl

ad never known her at all

e called, urgency s

s eyes away, his reply rou

oward the m

ide him, tightening

sts watched with

ped at the edge

regarded him with cool in

up." Kristopher introduced himself, but he lo

he stem of her glass for the brief

er gaze was clear, composed, and f

opher said to her in a l

re?" Leyla asked with distant poli