The Vow Of Forever

ic comments out of her thoughts. She could hear Gabriel's boots clicking on the fl

tone, almost imploring for an explanat

ne. For a brief period, the world outside the room appeared to melt away, leaving only the two of them. His face was with no expr

ur marriage," Gabriel remarked,

hadn't allowed herself to think about in recent days. The bargain, the arrangement-it had all been about business,

r Her father's silence, Gabriel's chilly demeanor, and Richard's strange letters all appeared

inued, her voice firmer now. "I want to know what i

always been skilled at hiding his emotions, but today, Ivy c

econd, Gabriel seemed

s tone altering slightly but enough to raise Ivy's pulse. "I am here because I

strike, and she endured to keep her cool. "What truth?" Her vo

seemed electrified, as if a storm was ready to erupt. "It's not as you think. Your fat

and to silence her. "I didn't want you involved in this

e had ever realized. She had always trusted Gabriel, had always believed in the arrangement because it seemed l

her head in an attempt to make s

ather's been lying

. "I'm suggesting that this marriage was never only about business. It was never only about guaranteeing the future. There are

eathe. The words were suffocating, swirling in her head like a tornado. She had never envisioned a

th her father and th

n her head. Some folks won

ightly above a whisper. "Who? Who would w

whatever he was going to say would influence everything. "I wish I had time to tell you every detail right now," he said, his voice husky. "But tim

dn't understand, yet it chilled her to the bone. Was Gabriel talking about Richard? Was he involved in whate

"I have to go," he said curtly. "We'll talk more later. However, you

t the room, putting

s happening? What was Gabrie

stairs, but her focus was pulled to the subtle glow of something on the table-t

uched it, and the door flung open behind her. She st

her father said, his

o confront him, clutching the notepad in her hand. "Why?"

d; his eyes hard. "I

hen all she thought she knew about her family

d her wrist, bringing her in unexpectedl

vy," he said, hissing. "You do

a loud tap on the door

h stopped i

nd was

her father spoke ma

. She can't kno

the door g

glass cracking resonat