The Twist of Fate

d across her face. The large, marble steps leading up to Ashcroft

?" Jackson Taylor, her father,

nking with every step closer to the towering build

with guilt. "I should ha

fault," Lucy reassured

ked out of the arranged marriage at the last minute when she discovered that the young bi

's. But after Isabel's refusal, William had given them an ultimatum: either one of the

er family to pass up-and to

ckson encouraged. "This isn't ab

er father's hopeful expression gave her the push she needed. Taking a deep breath, she

guess herself. She could still back out. She could run. But where would that lea

f a vast office with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Manha

ough her. He was even more handsome in person than the pictures in the magazines had suggest

ithout preamble, "yo

luntness of his words but quick

w. "You don't sound

f," Lucy replied, her voice s

tly, but he didn't say anything immediately. Finally, he spoke again,

ed. "I un

nvenience, nothing more. You do your part, and I'll do mine. Keep up appearances. At

ad been prepared for this. She knew this wasn't about rom

reed, keeping her voice

ened. "You're differ

ack the bitterness that rose at t

ful. "She wanted my money and my status. But she did

ucy said firmly, he

assessing look before nod

ow nervous she was. This marriage wasn't about her feelings, and it wasn't about William's eit

but wonder what had made William Ashcroft so bitter. T

work," William said, interrupting her thoughts. "Yo

ed. "Just

back to his desk, dismissi

e, and soon she would become Mrs. Ashcroft. But as much as she wanted to save her family, she cou

-

sofa, scrolling through her phone. She glanced up when

al?" Isabel asked, her t

ing it on the rack. She didn't have the energy

at least try to act excited. You're

"Isabel, you were su

a cripple," Isabel said with a dismis

ouldn't give Isabel the satisfaction of seeing her angry. Instea

The cold, calculating man who had barely looked at her during their conversa

licker of curiosity. There had been something in h

was more to William than

-

le white dress. The day had arrived much sooner than she'd expected

ing both proud and apologetic. "Y

her stomach was in

was already there, seated in his wheelchair, looking as composed as ever. H

exchanged, papers were signed, and before Lucy ev

d to her, his expression unreadable. "There's a cha

ling from the whirlwind

his voice dropping slightl

ed hard. "I

she couldn't help but feel that this was more than just busin