Ninety-Nine Engagements, One Betrayal

na

ng to everyone but me. My lips still throbbed, a phantom pain mirroring the ache in my chest. He w

spers surrounding the Preston family. Brooks, ever the master of appearances, was charming, c

filigree of silver and lace. But it wasn't just the mask. Around her neck, glinting under the chandeliers,

, a polite reminder. "D

"I'm perfectly capable

eptible flicker of annoya

"we are getting a divorce. I filed the papers this morning. The cooling-off period ends so

He opened his mouth to speak, but at that exact m

verleigh!" so

tumbled, her drink spilling down her gown, a dramatic cascad

oice sharp, pulling hi

rom my hand and scrawled his signature across the dotted line. The tip of the pen, sharp and unforgiving, grazed my s

done. The paper, now legally binding, felt like a feather in my hand.

It was the start of the night's "seek your soulmate" game. E

y heart, against all odds, ga

gure, identical to mine, ap

altering. His eyes, though

The ballroom plunged into darkness, a col

s filtering through the tall windows. Locked in an embrace. A kiss. There was no mistaking

iggled. "Mr. Preston and his wi

deniable, passionate. For his sister. Not for me. He had neve

able, so undeniable, that even in the darkness, it shone. My talkativeness, my stories, my very essence had

ven through the masks, I felt the triumph in her gaze, the m

slightly, and removed my mask. The cool air against my face felt like a cl

eone else, Brooks?" I asked