INA

back, putting a sliver of dis

ent fury, and I let myself savo

liberately, my voice low and cold. "You were so brave in

, but before he could, a famil

rr

er voice dripping with false concern. "Jare

she smoothed her features into an expression of wounded innocence

fe. "Just discussing how to ruin me on my own marriage bed? Just plotting how

ained from K

Jared's ar

silence. "What are you talking

ancé. Don't worry-soon you won't have to deal with me at all. But her?" I nodded toward Karri with a sharp, humorless smile. "She'll be you

e went whit

mouth, but no

's en

le voice cut thro

oward us, flanked by severa

der the chandeliers, and her fa

with Jared. But let's be sensible-men have their moments. A few companions on the side, a little fun before the wedding-it's hardly a

e it

ssic re

uld be

l and look th

a second-just a second-I felt a fl

d I heard version

my fa

is adv

e quiet, to be grateful, to take what

ye

of biting

ing the role they

good enough, quiet enough, patient enough

d with his guilty panic, Karri with her smug desp

other

leanor'

t and cold, "but I'm not interested in being gr

ed open defiance. "Celina Garner! Watch your place

und that made her flinch. "I think you're a

r arm like a child tugging at his mother's sleeve. "Mom, look at her!

het

t even fac

me to hiding behind his mother's

ibly forcing herself back into

s not make any rash decisions." She extended a hand, palm up, in a gesture of false magnanimity. "Come. We can talk privately

o negotiate. I don't want your money. I don't want

rning my back on t

ure I wanted to remember-but I

oward the

ree shall

he spo

he ballroom tur

all

ly took the microphone from t

standing at the center of the stage with the

s were to

nce too

elt non

ght of six years lifti

ke of breath from so

re

ealized what w

't loo

't nee

d pulled out the small "lip

ed the button

t, Fe

reen light

nal was

gentlemen, thank you for your patience. Before we close the evening, I have an announcement to make.

hind me flick

hear anyt

ing behind me, and I was just