Chapter 26 Chapter 26: “I thought we agreed to keep expenses reasonable,” Liam said, walking to the table. “The board is watching my spending p> Seraphina’s face fell. She pouted. “But it’s my birthday! Don’t be mean p> They sat down. The dinner was a disaster. Seraphina talked about a
Chapter 25 Chapter 25: It was 9:00 PM on a Friday. There was no board meeting. “It’s her birthday, isn’t it?” Skye asked quietly. Liam froze. He looked at her, his eyes wide. “I saw the receipt for the diamond bracelet on the joint account before you hid it,” Skye
Chapter 24 Chapter 24: “Well, well,” Aunt Petunia chirped, her voice dripping with acid. “If it isn’t the happy couple. We heard rumors, Skye. Going back to school? Is the allowance Liam gives you not enough for shopping p> A few cousins nearby snickered. Skye opened her mouth to retort,
Chapter 23 Chapter 23: “I’m a Sterling,” Skye corrected. “Run along p> Tiffany turned and practically ran away. “Feisty p> Skye turned. Ethan Vance was leaning against the doorway of the exam hall. He had followed her out. He wasn’t wearing his sunglasses now. His eyes were blue, sharp, and
Chapter 22 Chapter 22: He leaned in, trying to read her answer. He was actually smart—hidden beneath the playboy facade—but he was lazy. He recognized genius when he saw it. Skye sensed him. Without breaking her rhythm, she shifted her left arm, blocking his line of sight perfectly. Thirty minutes
Chapter 21 Chapter 21: The doors banged open. Ethan Vance strode in. He was ten minutes late. He walked with a swagger that suggested he owned the building, chewing his gum with an obnoxious, rhythmic smack, smack, smack. The proctor, a stern woman with glasses, glared at him. “Name p>
Chapter 20 Chapter 20: “I said no,” Skye repeated. She pulled her arm free with a sharp jerk. “I am reclaiming the life I threw away for you, Liam. I am not your accessory. I am not your child. I am a Sterling p> She straightened her trench coat. “Watch
Chapter 19 Chapter 19: “Read them p> “Well,” Lee hesitated. “She… she graduated summa cum laude. Top one percent of her class. She was the president of the Debate Society and the captain of the Chess team p> Liam froze. The air in the office seemed to thin. He had
Chapter 18 Chapter 18: She turned and went back inside. Mrs. Higgins, the housekeeper, entered with a tray of dessert. She looked at the empty chair at the head of the table with a frown of disapproval. “Mr. Kensington won’t be returning for dessert?” Mrs. Higgins asked stiffly. Skye sat
Chapter 17 Chapter 17: He tossed a manila folder onto the wrought-iron table between them. “How are the ribs?” he asked, his tone shifting from playful to serious. He scanned her posture, noting the way she held herself stiffly. “Manageable,” Skye replied quietly. “Thanks to you pulling me out of
Chapter 16 Chapter 16: He stood up abruptly. His thigh hit the table, knocking over his glass of Cabernet. The red wine spilled across the pristine white tablecloth, spreading like a fresh gunshot wound. “I’m coming,” Liam said into the phone. “Don’t move. I’ll be there in twenty minutes p>
Chapter 15 Chapter 15: He checked his watch, a heavy platinum Patek Philippe, for the third time in two minutes. He pulled at his collar, as if the tie were a noose. Skye sat at the opposite end, ten feet of polished wood separating them. The distance felt appropriate. It
Chapter 14 Chapter 14: Liam swallowed hard, his Adam’s apple bobbing. He looked like he was about to vomit. He couldn’t admit he knew about the bomb without admitting he had left her there. He was trapped in his own cowardice. “How?” he rasped. “How did you get out p>
Chapter 13 Chapter 13: But she didn’t pull away. She nodded, her eyes wide and watery. “Yes, Grandmother,” Skye lied. “I understand. I will focus on my duties. And my… education. To be a better support to him p> Beatrice waved a dismissive hand. She interpreted education as a cooking
Chapter 12 Chapter 12: “I thought it was a good investment,” Skye stammered, keeping her gaze on the rug. “I wanted to contribute. I wanted to show Liam that I could help build the family legacy p> “Build?” Beatrice scoffed. She leaned forward, the hawk-headed cane pointing accusingly at Skye.
Chapter 11 Chapter 11: The silence in the drain was deafening, broken only by the drip of water and the crackle of the fire raging above them. “Alistair!” Skye hissed again, her hands trembling as she touched his face. The blood from his forehead was warm and sticky. He groaned,
Chapter 10 Chapter 10: Liam dropped the teacup. It hit the floor and shattered, the porcelain crack echoing the crash from the gala. “What?” Liam whispered. His blood ran cold. “Don’t play games, Kensington,” the voice growled. “You have twenty-four hours. We know you have the assets p> “Don’t hurt
Chapter 9 Chapter 9: The gala ended in a thunderstorm. The sky opened up, dumping torrential rain on Sea City. Guests huddled under the portico, waiting for their valets. The air was cold and damp. Liam dragged a sobbing Seraphina to his car. The driver brought the Kensington Mercedes around.
Chapter 8 Chapter 8: Skye returned to the main hall, the metal card hidden securely in her clutch. Her heart was still racing from her proximity to Alistair. He was dangerous, yes, but he treated her like an equal. Liam treated her like a prop. She found Liam near the
Chapter 7 Chapter 7: The gala moved into the ballroom for the entertainment portion. The lights dimmed, casting a soft, amber glow over the guests. Liam cornered Skye near the bar. He looked exhausted. Seraphina had gone to the bathroom to fix her makeup, leaving him unguarded. “You made Seraphina