The Scar He Gave, The Queen I Became

massive desk, staring

r file sitting next to it, but the bold signature at the

y doors swung ope

stor-Vance conglomerate, strolled

e bar cart, poured himself two finge

at the sight of Frankli

ust lost the house," Julian mocked. "How

ol, Franklin's expressio

oman out," Franklin sne

froze halfwa

mirk vanished

Cadence?" Julian aske

tried to play the victim by disappearing and filing for di

et the g

anting both hands flat on the

an octave. "I was the one who jumped into

rs stopped typin

rossing his face. "What are you talkin

a harsh, disb

" Julian stated clearly. "Cadence sank straight to

n stare

sarcasm. "The way she looked when I pulled her out... it was like she was actually dying. You

lin's lips. "An act, Julian. A very convincing one, I

ssional diving license. She got it two years before we were married. 'Bone-

by this piece of information. He fro

back to the bar to retrieve his glass. He swirled the amber liquid

Isabelle developed her severe aquaphobia after she heroically pulled you from the Hudson River four years ago. Why would Caden

struck Franklin wit

tive of Cadence's viciousness, that he'd only seen

he entire event. It wasn't about

woman who hated Isabelle copy her most well-known vulner

of his certainty. He tried to crush it. She was just trying to get attent

ering, confusing frustration. The clean lines of hero

to down it, but to hold the cool, heavy glass in his hand,

e door cl

white Chanel dress, holding a designer

eyes lock

was still there, but for the first time, i

he shift in the

en hurried over to Franklin, reachi

's muscl

t was less a cold rejection and more an instinctual retreat, his m

nklin asked, his voice clipped and di

nd hovered in

in her chest as she stared at