THE HIGH-RISE HEART

Paris, my dear.

ing with anticipation. She had never been to Paris before,

ed away to a luxurious penthouse a

xt few days," Ashley said, his

holding hands, and gazing into each other's eyes, Al

their whirlwind romance w

twinkled above them, and the sound of street performers filled the air. Ashley took her

Ashley said, his eyes locking onto hers. "I th

el the same way, Ashley," she repli

o each other's eyes. They visited the Blackwood hall, where Ashley surpri

topped her in front of a beautiful fountain. "Alice, from the mom

her face, Alice nodded. "Yes

r into his arms, and they share

ke she was on top of the world. She had never felt this way about anyo

ook a hot air balloon ride over the city, had a private cooking cla

d her in front of a beautiful bridge. "Alice, I have something i

ked, her heart racin

vous energy. "They're very important to me, and I want you to be a part of

met anyone's family before, especially not someone as wealthy and influential as

you," she said, her v

"Thank you, Alice darling. I promise you, i

their fate, ready to face w

f excitement and nervousness building inside her. She had never met anyone's family before, especially not someone a

ateau surrounded by lush gardens and a private lake. Alice gasped in awe as they pulle

ce," the butler said, his voice formal

Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, and priceless artwork adorned the walls. She fe

and Lady Wagner, and his younger sister, Mabel Wagner. Alice was nervous at

f the family. They talked and laughed together, sharing stories and

their own, secrets that would change everything she thou

quite put her finger on it, but something didn't feel right. Ashley's fa

, Alice noticed a strange look between Ashley's pare

thing?" she said, as they s

he replied, his eyes

asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

around the room before answering. "There is somethi

ced as she leaned in

's business...it's not entirely legitimate. We'

ed in the gut. She had no idea w