UNMASKING FATE

he luxurious silk sheets. She stirred awake, the memories of the masquerade ball flooding her mind-especia

soft knock interrupted her thoughts. "Miss Devereux, your

shortly," Seraphina replied, h

and descended the grand staircase, the aroma of a lavish breakfast greeted her. Another maid had lai

of the mysterious man from the night before. "My life is so dre

eps approached. Vincent Devereux entered the dining room, his imposing fi

ding, "Allaire Moretti is waiting for y

t sank. "Do you even care

t about what you want. It's about s

flaring. "I am not a pawn in

was like a whip. "You wi

r figure and cascaded to the floor in a waterfall of silk and chiffon. The dress was adorned with intricate beadwork that caught th

aire Moretti was waiting in the foyer. His dark eyes widened, a look of admirat

ice smooth but with an undercurrent of s

yes were cold and defiant. "T

unspoken tension. "Why don't you two get to know each other be

hina took it. As they walked to the car, her mind raced. S

o the restaurant was silent, tension crackling between them. When they arrived at the e

n intensity that made her skin crawl. "You k

h about you," she sho

ser. "This could be a beneficial

ents," Seraphina retorted, her

. "You might find that your plans a

young woman, her eyes blazing with jealousy. "Allai

oice dripping with irritation.

"Fiancée? How could you, Allaire

chair scraping loudly against the floor. "Keep me out of your pe

away?" Isabella hissed, gra

d her arm free. "Don't touch me," she said, her

increasingly frustrated. Thirty minutes passed, and there was still no sign of

uickly slipped into the back seat without thinking. The door closed behind her, and s

ly lifted her head, she found herself s

d, shock and recogn

and intrigue. Seraphina still clutched his suit, her heart poun

of a smile playing on his lips.

to find her words. "I didn't mean t

to marry?" Lucien teased, his

He's insufferable. My father insists on

g again, his tone now colder. "And you think h

attitude. "I just needed to escape. I

ls are all the same. Thinking money a

th defiance. "And what do y

s eyes remained cold.

r before Lucien spoke to the

side of the road. Lucien turned to Se

red at him, s

Lucien said co

boss, I won't ask you nicely again," she said, her voice trembling with rage. She reached into h

followed by Seraphina. They stood face to face on the

" Lucien said, his voice low and dangerous. "We

I'm not just any spoiled rich girl. I have my

?" Lucien asked, his curios

unwavering. "That's none of your busi

yes boring into hers. "You think

inch. "I can handle

hem crackling with intensity. Finally, Lucien spoke, h

ollowed, closing the door behind him. As the car started moving again,

fter but no less dangerous. "Why are you

with resolve. "I have a proposition fo

brow. "And you think

e to resist," Seraphina

ng moment, then nodded slow