Sincl
our formal parlor, his postu
ed envelope across the ma
lity, yet the display of respect-
er, Cynthia, crossed her arm
s getting a better marriage a
ispered, her voice trembling as she clutched C
She knew her fiancé, Xavie
good marriage. Instead, she let my father
e soldiers beat me u
me to my quarters. He saw my bruised
, swallowing the bile in my thr
my family's estate was replaced by the salt-l
ong the shoreline. We were surrounded by a
bought me an artisan spun
a small smile that sof
e to buy me thi
y, his gaze holding mine. "I
r of iridescent seashells half-buried in the wet sand.
om the cart," Gabriel said, already
ne for ten seconds. In our w
ll. Look
ehind the dunes. His entourage in
linging to the wool of his suit. The confining pressu
He slowed his speech, each syllable a cris
back, preserving the
to my sister.
e. He stepped closer, erasing the distance I had cr
otch I sent to the house with you," he p
lied, my voice utter
, his weapon drawn and aimed squarely a
lared at the guard-a cold stare that
er did not back down, his fin
l's return. He walked up, raising a single, authoritative hand. Th
l walk
stepped smoothly between Xavier
l," Xavier said coldly, the polite words soun
el gently wrapped the si
his fingers firmly i
d, his eyes meeting Xavier's
l replied, his voice a low count
lt-laced air was thic
entirely different from my past life. Gabr
," I said quietly, bre
never once taking his gaz
searing into my spine like a brand. Thi
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