BROKEN BY TRUTH

a's

're

e high-rise penthouse. He stood near the floor-to-ceiling windows

struggled to keep my composure. "You're the one who summoned me,

locking into mine with a mix of a

, crossing my arms. "If this is how you

w, vicious sneer. "And yet, you'

g words, of driving me to face things I was

raising my chin. "You've backed me into a corner,

red, his voice a velvet challenge. "Let's not pretend you didn't consider it. The pow

h me. "Maybe it was the part where you mad

pawn? Hardly. If you're playing this game, L

nxiety. He wasn't simply giving me a bargain; he was offering me

s time. "Why not someone who a

ng more serious. "Because you don't belong in my

hat doesn't ma

er. His voice sank to a whisper, sending a thrill

e. "Let's talk about words. If I agree

is actions were as fluid as the guy himself. I sat re

etain the impression of a wonderful marriage-dinners, events, the occasional paparazzi pic

pens when the

responded simply. "No st

d so clean, but we both know it won't

ble will be if you allow emotions to get involved. T

ure you can ke

idn't reach his eyes. "I don't get c

I muttered,

is voice softer now.

wn on me. I knew this exchange may either save me or ru

hing," I said final

w rose. "And

oing this, I need to know everything. N

hed, but he no

the words tasting both wonder

faction glinting in his eyes.

too sure

as Adrian poured two glasses o

gs," he muttered,

sound resonating in the quiet room. "Wha

of his drink, his stare burning

glass down. "I just agreed to marry a man I barely

ceded, a flicker of h

eated. I could feel the weight of his atte

g at me?" I asked, m

fascinating, Lila. You're standing at the edge of a precipice, and instead

heart racing. "And

catch you," he muttere

n, the space closing with every heartbeat. I couldn't

h fire," I murmured,

sily," he muttered, his brea

ut to kiss me. But almost as suddenly as the moment came, i

ow," he remarked,

e magic destro

morning," he continued, walking for

the penthouse with my racing thoughts. I stared out at th

usual number. I stopped before responding, my heart

a," the voice yelled. "Now y

ime in twenty-four hours, I realized that Adrian