/1/110740/coverbig.jpg?v=20260316181935&imageMogr2/format/webp)
lled faintly of
ng boards for the third time that morning. The place was spotless already,
icked sharpl
. You c
aightene
ded, expression unreadable. Her gaze swept ove
ge," Nora said coolly. "Your
anded witho
a f
" Nora added, almost bored.
day might come-Nora had mentioned it once, in passin
m," she sa
eans, and changed into the simplest dress she owned. No makeup. N
to the living room,
gers sat o
y saw her. Their faces were lined with nervousness-an
o
es filled inst
few steps fro
many times. She just hadn't
elegant, her expression politely detached. She looked a
as if introducing acquaintances. "Lora Hart
men seated beside them-dressed simply,
unfamiliar spread
woman's trembling hand. "Pleas
broke down
er... my p
"This is a new villa. I
tissue over wi
t Nora. "Thank you for taking care of Ella and Piper all th
orks security. You clean houses. Le
r father at the neighborhood security b
n, as if the thought of their pa
ry," the woman
. "You've got three son
thers. They offered her
turned
r interest sharpening. "S
om wen
r generation. A marriage alliance with the Sterling family. It was meant for
stif
If there's going to be a mar
him," Lora
movements were refined, practiced-as though this were her home and Nora her true mother.
iet approval, the kind s
.
ng Cor
's phone vibrat
his grandfather had arranged years ago. His father's generation had quietly
hadn't given i
ripped his hand with surprising strength and demande
duty, nothing more. Over the years, there had been no contac
il
he call with
and eager, talking rapidly about the daughter they ha
nce, irritation settling in his
an old car. Something beat-up. And find
ised-but didn't quest
, Tiesto's pho
and
aughters back today," she said excitedly.
st," Tiesto replied, already bracing
If I can't go,
s eyes brief
head
idden camera," h
the iPad and make sur
alf the city's financial flow. He wore worn, unremarkable clothes, a discreet camera
against families
marriages-and the people who trea
ly would find him impressive. If anything,
suit him
a stop outside t
call to Lora, inform
the window, Piper's hand still restin
rd that had clearly seen bette
nged a glance, their disa
orbell
simply lifted her voic
" she
en the
*
/1/110740/coverbig.jpg?v=20260316181935&imageMogr2/format/webp)