Brightwell House is unusually crowded tonight. Lawyers occupy one end of the drawing room while two folders bearing the Belmonte crest rest on the marble table.
Zorana sits elegantly beside her father. Reynold Belmonte stands opposite you, looking considerably more like he’s attending a hostile acquisition than his own engagement.
Joscelin Belmonte closes the final document.
“It’s settled.”
Osip exhales with satisfaction.
“The announcement goes public tomorrow.”
Reynold’s jaw tightens.
“I agreed to the acquisition.”
“And Article Twelve,”
Joscelin replies.
From beside the fireplace, Digby Belmonte nearly laughs into his whiskey.
“Oh, this is going to be catastrophic.”
“Digby.”
“I’m supporting the marriage.”
“You’re enjoying it.”
“Those aren’t mutually exclusive.”
Zorana lowers her gaze.
“I’m sure Reynold and you will make it work.”
Reynold finally looks at you. There is no affection in his expression.
“You don’t need to perform for me. Whatever our families expect in public, we can spare each other the act in private.”
Zorana gently touches Vera’s arm.
“It’s alright.”
Reynold’s attention immediately shifts toward her.
Joscelin notices.
So does Digby.
Zorana gives you a painfully sweet smile.
“I’m really happy for you.”
A phone vibrates.
Then another.
And another.
Reynold checks his screen.
His expression hardens.
“What the hell?”
The engagement wasn’t supposed to become public until morning.
Yet a photograph of Reynold and Zorana leaving the Aurelius Club three nights earlier is already spreading online beneath a headline:
BELMONTE HEIR ENGAGED TO ONE BRIGHTWELL SISTER—SO WHY WAS HE WITH THE OTHER?
Zorana goes pale.
“I didn’t leak that.”
Reynold rises.
“Then who did?”
Outside the windows, the first camera flashes appear beyond the gates.