bella left the Cer

es drifted through the air, quickly dusting her shoulders and the tips

she finally spotted a brightly lit bookstore by the side o

s decorated with a balloon arch, and a few stra

ows of bookshelves, filling the air with

d bestseller filled the space. Surprisingly, they were all the

the entrance for too long, ca

wn apron and holding a broo

ponytail. She wore a pair of oversized metal hoop earrings, highl

ile spreading across her face. "Welcome!

ruly biting, so Isab

, and launched into her pitch. "This is Cocoon, the bestselling suspense novel of the year, and easily th

t a sigh. "It's just a pity that only the first instal

the timeline in her head. "

ened in astonishment

, nor did she want to expose her identit

lit up, looking as if she had just found a kin

he pen name of

, Isabella couldn't bring herself to deny it

"What a coincidence, me too! Bluewhale is incredible. She only writes one book a year,

how to handle it. She gently patted the woman's hand. "If Bluewhale

ed she hadn't introduced herself. "Oh, right, let's

was actually name

e and exchanged numbers with

it into Isabella's hands. "It's so rare to meet a fellow fan, so please, take this book as a gift.

"I have one. I ca

ieve it, her voice soft

nodded.

arms around Isabella. "Bella, I don't know why, but the second I sa

oo. Especially since her father passed away, it had

ded earnestl

ella helped Nora clean up an

st opened this place, so there isn't much foot traffic

ached for the door to leave, it swu

ht up to her, lifting her chin to look down her nose at Isabella with utter contempt. "You saw what

aled slightly, an

r that arranged marriage between the Knight and Hudson families back then, A

uietly from the sidelines, su

irty look. "What ar

ggle. "Nothing. I just think you

new that wasn't a compliment, h

lted her chin toward the door. "Whoever

l, casually pointing at the display near the door. "I'

d to name an outrageous price. "Sure. That'll be on

grand for a pile of trashy book

. "Isn't that what I

, Elaine couldn't be bothered to argue with

e you. In fact, he didn't just marry you because of the marriage arrangement. Part of the reason was that his position in the Knigh

ening, hypocritical sweetness. "I'm only telling you this because I consider you

ull blade, sawing into Is

out of gratitude to her father.

ambush shortly af

ed the windshield and torn through her shoulde

bore that jagged, round

live, even if it meant

ng her lip hard to keep the tea

refusing to let her pass. "Isabell

ivo

illed over her lashes, rolling down he

her fists. She pulled out her phone

e, we're live! Today's star is a hypocritical homewrecker playing the innocent vi

Elaine's expression ins

uldn't afford to be caught