Ashes Of Affection

ving door like someone still clinging to the illusion of belonging. Her heels echoed too loudly

belong he

today, her coat hugged her arms a little too tightly, the seams whispering of weight lost to stress and sleepless

up, tapping long, shell-pink

casual for the gravity in Savannah's chest. "Th

he mirrored walls reflected a version of her she didn't quite recognize should

n with a hush. She

g and the disinterested gazes of two men in dark suits Hill and Donner. Neither

ring to a glass chair across the ob

Let the silence breathe.

leared his throat. "We've completed the

o the chair, back

e liabilities exceed the

ished, removing his glasses

ou're saying there's nothing lef

used as collateral in a leveraged investme

g brittle. The house her childhood summers, her mother's lau

o

voice didn't crack.

frozen, your name flagged, and multiple creditors have already in

An extension. Two months. I have a vineyard p

his final year," Donner interrupted. "T

around them l

o logo. No return address. Just her name, written in d

the debt," Hill said, pushing it tow

didn't mo

ng for you.

or doors opened again, not to the sterile lobby but to a private wing. She stepped into a room more l

hand in his pocket, the other wra

Call

turn when

ou might com

in. "You didn't even k

ou were d

shut

uty. His features looked chiseled from some unforgiving stone sharp cheekbones, a firm jaw, lips tha

here for a pity play, I'll save you the

sed a button. The door behind

ed more scotch, the clink of ice sh

after that w

aid, voice too

You wear my name, attend a few events, smile for the ca

. "You're out of

ent. I acquired your debt last nig

k a ste

e moment you do, your creditors will bury you. You'll lose everything. What

on the desk. No lab

er nam

e?" sh

a flicker. Not kindness. Not

're used to

on thick ivory paper. Clauses about media control, confidentiality, performanc

macy required," s

ur father's idea,

ad sna

ew my f

e laughed in my face. Now I'm making th

lder shut. "You th

it's su

you get out o

values... image. Legacy. They expect stability, tradition. A wife. A future heir.

to sell my name, my life, my future for

ser, not quite

ng you a se

couldn't tell. "And if I break the contract? If I fall

flipped to the la

use

ncial protections, asset seizure, and legal action to

llowed. "You

de

're not even pretending

. "But I do p

own at the c

felt hea

into my home. My staff will instruct you. Wardrobe, etiquette,

ed. "And after

Debt-free. Anony

for my

dn't

pen beside the folder

e, Savannah," he said softly. "

ing about the way he looked at her steady, unreadable, controlled made h

hed for

ime in months, her