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00:09valentina don't marry him
00:15do you want him gone
00:21two days before our wedding my fiance postponed it by 10 days for the woman he'd never gotten over
00:25celesta told me our wedding falls on the same day as her birthday party
00:29it's her first birthday since her husband died i can't miss it or she'll fall apart
00:33valentina we're going to get married sooner or later what difference does a week make this was
00:37the third time he had canceled our wedding because of celeste the first time celeste claimed she had
00:42severe depression he dropped everything rushed to her side and stayed with her for an entire week
00:49the second time celeste wanted to see the northern lights he worried about her traveling alone while
00:54she was emotionally fragile so he went with her and stayed away for 10 days now it was happening
00:59a third time but this time i didn't argue i didn't raise my voice or accuse him of anything
01:03he thought i was a helpless orphan with nowhere to go he believed i would never leave him
01:07he had no idea i was the princess of the powerful romano crime family
01:13to hide my identity and marry an ordinary man outside our world i'd made a three-month bet with
01:18my father i bet i could live a normal life and marry the man i chose but i lost my
01:24fiance thought
01:25this was just another delay he didn't know there would never be another wedding
01:33when i got home i started packing my things
01:38an hour later my fiance adrian pushed open the door he saw the suitcase beside the bed and let
01:44out a cold laugh running away again valentina we've been together for four years every time
01:50we argue you pack a suitcase and threaten to leave aren't you tired of this little act
01:56his jaw tightened all because i postponed the wedding you're overreacting it's only 10 days
02:04valentina 10 days it's not like i'm refusing to marry you impatience filled his voice but i didn't
02:11back down i'm not running away i'm just sorting through my things in my head i finished the sentence
02:17so i can leave you for good since you're already packing why don't you clear out the guest room too
02:24celeste has been feeling low and needs company she'll stay with us for a while i pushed my
02:30pack suitcase into the corner without lifting my eyes all right i'll have a guest room prepared i
02:36agreed so easily that he froze one hand still clutched his tie as he searched my face for the
02:40anger i must be hiding then his shoulders relaxed and his tone softened listen i know this isn't easy
02:47for you go to ivy jewelry tomorrow and choose anything you like i'll pay and i probably won't
02:54have much time for you over the next few days celeste bought a place near ours and needs help
03:00setting it up furniture cleaning that sort of thing i promised i'd supervise the workers he stepped closer
03:07and rested a hand on my shoulder after celeste's birthday i'll make it up to you i promise no need
03:14i have plenty to do actually i was planning to clear some things out of the music room adrian nodded
03:21distractedly already turning toward the hallway perfect celeste likes the light in that room
03:26she wants to use it as her study move out all that useless stuff so she can decorate it
03:31i drew a slow breath fine the music room is hers so was he for the next hour i contacted
03:40my staff
03:40and arranged for a complete set of bedding and toiletries to be delivered to the villa
03:44every item was chosen to match celeste's famously picky taste i knew her preferences almost better than
03:49my own whenever adrian spoke about her over the years i had committed every little detail to memory
03:57later i passed the kitchen the stove was roaring adrian stood at the counter with his back to the
04:02door cooking he gripped a frying pan in one hand and used the other to drop raw vegetables into a
04:07bubbling pot his shirt sleeves were rolled to his forearms exposing the firm muscles beneath a crooked
04:11apron hung from his waist its ties dangling loose behind him sweat beaded at his temples and dampened the
04:16hair clinging to his skin celeste leaned against the island beside him her elbows resting on the marble
04:21countertop as she tilted her head she wore a loose house dress and stood barefoot on the cool tile
04:25every few seconds she brushed the damp hair from his forehead or wiped the sweat between his brows
04:29the gestures were natural and practiced they looked like a loving married couple i froze in the doorway
04:34my feet rooted to the floor creamy mushroom soup simmered on the stove celeste's favorite
04:38i stood there and watched for exactly three seconds then i turned and walked toward the end of the hall
04:44adrian's footsteps followed he caught up at the corner still holding the soup ladle irritation flashing
04:48across his face valentina celeste hasn't had much of an appetite lately she can barely eat i only made
04:53her a quick meal don't read too much into it i looked at the ladle in his hand a drop
05:00of thick
05:01creamy soup clung to the rim something crushed my chest and my breaths turned quick and shallow
05:05ever since we moved into this villa ever since i took my place beside him as his fiancee i had
05:10managed
05:10everything in our home every meal every purchase every holiday gift for both families every guest list for
05:15every dinner i tended the garden every night i matched his cuff links to his tie and laid them
05:19neatly on the dressing room tray i never let him worry about a single household detail but now he
05:24stood at the stove chopping seasoning and plating a table full of another woman's favorite dishes she
05:29watched him with a gentle possessive smile he even wiped a spot of sauce from the corner of her mouth
05:33with his thumb i lowered my eyes when i spoke my voice was so faint i barely recognized it she
05:38suffered a
05:38terrible loss of course she needs someone to care for her it's perfectly normal for you to cook for her
05:44adrian shoulders visibly relaxed he stepped closer kissed my forehead and smiled against my skin with
05:49relief you really have changed a year ago if you saw me cooking for another woman you went smearing
05:55marson you would have smashed a vase over my head by the way celesta's birthday is in two days her
06:01husband used to throw her a grand party every year but now he's gone as her friend i want you
06:05to help
06:06me plan a beautiful birthday party for her i told myself not to care not to compare but bitterness
06:13still rose inside me my birthday was only a few days away too adrian used to book a rooftop restaurant
06:19a month in advance he chose a necklace himself wrapped it with his own hands and rented the entire
06:25terrace for a fireworks display then he held my waist and whispered in my ear i love you sweetheart
06:30you deserve the best of everything but this year he had forgotten completely all his attention went
06:36to celeste i lowered my eyes i'll handle it i'll make sure everything suits her taste adrian paused
06:42a complicated look flashing in his eyes we had fought over celeste countless times before he thought
06:47i was being unreasonable i thought he had crossed every boundary now i had volunteered to plan her
06:53entire party that clearly caught him off guard he nodded do whatever you think is best but don't go overboard
07:00she isn't in good health i swallowed my bitterness and answered understood his gaze softened and he
07:06started to follow me back to the bedroom i gently raised a hand and stopped him go stay with celeste
07:11she needs you adrian frowned you really don't mind me being alone with her i shook my head of course
07:16not
07:16you grew up together it's only right that you look after her this time i wouldn't stand between them
07:21the weariness vanished from his face he ruffled my hair as if i were a child who had finally learned
07:26to behave you've grown up celeste has been through so much we need to protect her don't be jealous
07:32anymore okay i wouldn't be never again i had already decided once celeste's birthday party ended
07:38i would leave her at his side i had rehearsed my departure in my mind quiet clean without a scene
07:45at last they could have the life they had always wanted for the next two days i poured everything
07:50into the party it would be held in the glass greenhouse behind the villa to match every dish and
07:55flour to celeste's taste i changed florists three times and pastry chefs twice even the petals floating
08:01in the three-tier fountain were flown in from southern italy the estate manager frowned at the
08:05bill i signed it without a word no one knew this party was the countdown to my disappearance on the
08:11night of the party the sinclair villa blazed with light a thousand crystal lights hung beneath the glass
08:16greenhouse dome expensive two bros perfume hung heavy in the air almost intoxicating the guests
08:21arrived one after another all among the most powerful people in the city their eyes widened
08:26the moment they stepped inside whisper spread through every corner no one understood why i had
08:31gone to such lengths for my fiance's widowed childhood friend they all thought i had lost my mind i stood
08:36alone in a corner with a glass of champagne my smile flawless adrian approached i lightly touched his
08:43arm and leaned close to whisper in his ear let celeste have the first dance tonight belongs to her
08:48surprise flashed in his eyes then turned to approval the first notes of a waltz filled the greenhouse
08:53and adrian led celeste to the center of the dance floor her champagne colored satin gown gleamed like
08:59liquid gold beneath the lights she looked up at him her eyes shining with tears i watched them quietly
09:05from the back of the crowd when it was time for gifts adrian stepped forward with a velvet box
09:10he flipped open the lid with his thumb and the crowd gasped
09:16inside lay an emerald necklace colombian stones the size of thumbnails were joined by delicate platinum
09:21links and fell in glittering layers i recognized it at once it had appeared in sotheby's catalog last
09:28spring valued at more than 10 million i had seen adrian's name on the buyer list and foolishly thought
09:33it was for me a gift for our wedding he lifted the necklace from the box and held it high
09:38the emerald
09:38swayed gently he spoke his voice carrying across the silent hall celeste i want you to have something
09:44that reminds you how precious you are to all of us happy birthday celeste's eyes widened then a smile
09:49bloomed across her face she reached out and traced the smooth surface of the largest stone with her
09:54fingertip it's beautiful adrian it's truly beautiful but the next second her smile froze she shook her head
10:02no i can't accept it it's far too valuable she turned and searched the crowd until her gaze landed on
10:07me
10:07then she hurried straight over before i could move away she was already in front of me she shoved the
10:12necklace into my hand her fingers closed around mine with surprising strength as she spoke
10:18valentina this necklace should be yours you're adrian's fiance he should give it to you not me
10:23please take it no it's yours he gave it to you i frowned and tried to pull my hand free
10:29but she
10:29refused to let go her grip tightened as she pushed the necklace against my chest her face urgent and sincere
10:35you have to take it i can't keep something this valuable it wouldn't be right you deserve it more
10:41than i do i tried to break free suddenly her body pitched forward like a puppet with its strings cut
10:46and she slammed into me her shoulder struck me squarely in the chest and the force sent me staggering
10:51backward my hill caught the base of the champagne tower behind me crystal glasses shattered with a
10:58piercing crash champagne splashed across my gown and arms and shards glittered on the marble floor
11:03celeste landed safely in adrian's arms he caught her the instant she fell locking both hands around
11:08her waist she pressed against his chest buried her face in his shoulder and trembled his arms wrapped
11:13around her in a fierce protective hold adrian's voice sharpened with panic as his eyes swept over
11:18her checking for injuries are you all right celeste shook her head her voice muffled against his chest i
11:24think so i'm just terrified she grabbed me so hard adrian i never thought she'd do this adrian
11:30looked up sharply his expression turning cold valentina how could you do that i'm so disappointed
11:35in you my vision swayed i braced a hand against the table beside me and fought to stay upright
11:40adrian please i forced out a whisper so faint it was almost silent i didn't adrian before i could finish
11:46celeste let out a low moan and pressed a hand to her temple i'm so dizzy everything is spinning adrian
11:52spun around in three quick strides he reached her and swept her into his arms he carried her toward the
11:57door without looking back celeste lifted her head slightly and looked over his shoulder her eyes
12:02found mine then she smiled the smile was tiny barely a twitch at the corner of her mouth hidden
12:06where adrian couldn't see it but i saw it clearly then they disappeared outside leaving the two doors
12:11swinging slowly behind them
12:24valentina don't marry him
12:29do you want him gone
12:35two days before our wedding my fiance postponed it by 10 days for the woman he'd never gotten over
12:40celeste told me our wedding falls on the same day as her birthday party it's her first birthday since
12:44her husband died i can't miss it or she'll fall apart valentina we're going to get married sooner
12:50or later what difference does a week make this was the third time he had canceled our wedding because
12:54of celeste the first time celeste claimed she had severe depression he dropped everything rushed to her
13:00side and stayed with her for an entire week the second time celeste wanted to see the northern lights
13:06he worried about her traveling alone while she was emotionally fragile so he went with her and
13:11stayed away for 10 days now it was happening a third time but this time i didn't argue i didn't
13:16raise my voice or accuse him of anything he thought i was a helpless orphan with nowhere to go he
13:20believed
13:21i would never leave him he had no idea i was the princess of the powerful romano crime family
13:27to hide my identity and marry an ordinary man outside our world i'd made a three month bet with my
13:32father i bet i could live a normal life and marry the man i chose but i lost my fiance
13:39thought this was
13:39just another delay he didn't know there would never be another wedding when i got home i started packing my
13:49things an hour later my fiance adrian pushed open the door he saw the suitcase beside the bed and let
13:58out a cold laugh running away again valentina we've been together for four years every time we argue
14:05you pack a suitcase and threaten to leave aren't you tired of this little act his jaw tightened all
14:12because i postponed the wedding you're overreacting it's only 10 days valentina 10 days it's not like i'm
14:22refusing to marry you impatience filled his voice but i didn't back down i'm not running away i'm just
14:29sorting through my things in my head i finished the sentence so i can leave you for good since you're
14:34already packing why don't you clear out the guest room too celeste has been feeling low and needs
14:40company she'll stay with us for a while i pushed my pack suitcase into the corner without lifting my eyes
14:48all right i'll have a guest room prepared i agreed so easily that he froze one hand still clutched his
14:53tie as he searched my face for the anger i must be hiding then his shoulders relaxed and his tone
14:58softened listen i know this isn't easy for you go to ivy jewelry tomorrow and choose anything you like
15:05i'll pay and i probably won't have much time for you over the next few days celeste bought a place
15:13near hours and needs help setting it up furniture cleaning that sort of thing i promised i'd supervise
15:20the workers he stepped closer and rested a hand on my shoulder after celeste's birthday i'll make it up
15:25to you i promise no need i have plenty to do actually i was planning to clear some things out
15:34of the music
15:34room adrian nodded distractedly already turning toward the hallway perfect celeste likes the light in
15:40that room she wants to use it as her study move out all that useless stuff so she can decorate
15:46it
15:46i drew a slow breath fine the music room is hers so was he for the next hour i contacted
15:54my staff and
15:55arranged for a complete set of bedding and toiletries to be delivered to the villa every item was chosen to
16:00match celeste's famously picky taste i knew her preferences almost better than my own whenever adrian
16:05spoke about her over the years i had committed every little detail to memory
16:12later i passed the kitchen the stove was roaring adrian stood at the counter with his back to the
16:17door cooking he gripped a frying pan in one hand and used the other to drop raw vegetables into a
16:21bubbling pot his shirt sleeves were rolled to his forearms exposing the firm muscles beneath a
16:26crooked apron hung from his waist its ties dangling loose behind him sweat beaded at his temples and
16:30dampened the hair clinging to his skin celeste leaned against the island beside him her elbows resting on the
16:35marble countertop as she tilted her head she wore a loose house dress and stood barefoot on the cool
16:39tile every few seconds she brushed the damp hair from his forehead or wiped the sweat between his
16:43brows the gestures were natural and practiced they looked like a loving married couple i froze in the
16:48doorway my feet rooted to the floor creamy mushroom soup simmered on the stove celeste's favorite i stood
16:54there and watched for exactly three seconds then i turned and walked toward the end of the hall adrian's
16:59footsteps followed he caught up at the corner still holding the soup ladle irritation flashing
17:03across his face valentina celeste hasn't had much of an appetite lately she can barely eat i only
17:08made her a quick meal don't read too much into it i looked at the ladle in his hand a
17:14drop of thick
17:15creamy soup clung to the rim something crushed my chest and my breaths turned quick and shallow
17:19ever since we moved into this villa ever since i took my place beside him as his fiancee i had
17:24managed
17:24everything in our home every meal every purchase every holiday gift for both families every guest list
17:29for every dinner i tended the garden every night i matched his cuff links to his tie and laid them
17:34neatly on the dressing room tray i never let him worry about a single household detail but now he
17:39stood at the stove chopping seasoning and plating a table full of another woman's favorite dishes
17:43she watched him with a gentle possessive smile he even wiped a spot of sauce from the corner of her
17:47mouth with his thumb i lowered my eyes when i spoke my voice was so faint i barely recognized it
17:52she suffered a terrible loss of course she needs someone to care for her
17:56it's perfectly normal for you to cook for her adrian shoulders visibly relaxed he stepped closer
18:01kissed my forehead and smiled against my skin with relief you really have changed a year ago if you
18:07saw me cooking for another woman you went smearing marson you would have smashed a vase over my head
18:12by the way celeste's birthday is in two days her husband used to throw her a grand party every year
18:17but now he's gone as her friend i want you to help me plan a beautiful birthday party for her
18:24i told myself not to care not to compare but bitterness still rose inside me my birthday was
18:30only a few days away too adrian used to book a rooftop restaurant a month in advance he chose
18:36a necklace himself wrapped it with his own hands and rented the entire terrace for a fireworks display
18:41then he held my waist and whispered in my ear i love you sweetheart you deserve the best of everything
18:46but this year he had forgotten completely all his attention went to celeste i lowered my eyes i'll
18:53handle it i'll make sure everything suits her taste adrian paused a complicated look flashing in his eyes we
18:59had fought over celeste countless times before he thought i was being unreasonable i thought he had
19:04crossed every boundary now i had volunteered to plan her entire party that clearly caught him off guard he
19:11nodded do whatever you think is best but don't go overboard she isn't in good health i swallowed
19:16my bitterness and answered understood his gaze softened and he started to follow me back to the
19:21bedroom i gently raised a hand and stopped him go stay with celeste she needs you adrian frowned you
19:27really don't mind me being alone with her i shook my head of course not you grew up together it's
19:32only
19:33right that you look after her this time i wouldn't stand between them the wariness vanished from his face
19:38he ruffled my hair as if i were a child who had finally learned to behave you've grown up celeste
19:43has been through so much we need to protect her don't be jealous anymore okay i wouldn't be never
19:48again i had already decided once celeste's birthday party ended i would leave her at his side i had
19:55rehearsed my departure in my mind quiet clean without a scene at last they could have the life they had
20:01always wanted for the next two days i poured everything into the party it would be held in the glass
20:07greenhouse behind the villa to match every dish and flour to celeste's taste i changed florists three
20:12times and pastry chefs twice even the petals floating in the three-tier fountain were flown
20:17in from southern italy the estate manager frowned at the bill i signed it without a word no one knew
20:23this party was the countdown to my disappearance on the night of the party the sinclair villa blazed with
20:28light a thousand crystal lights hung beneath the glass greenhouse dome expensive two bros perfume
20:33hung heavy in the air almost intoxicating the guests arrived one after another all among the
20:38most powerful people in the city their eyes widened the moment they stepped inside whispers spread
20:43through every corner no one understood why i had gone to such lengths for my fiance's widowed childhood
20:48friend they all thought i had lost my mind i stood alone in a corner with a glass of champagne
20:53my smile flawless adrian approached i lightly touched his arm and leaned close to whisper in his ear
20:59let celeste have the first dance tonight belongs to her surprise flashed in his eyes then turned to
21:05approval the first notes of a waltz filled the greenhouse and adrian led celeste to the center
21:10of the dance floor her champagne colored satin gown gleamed like liquid gold beneath the lights
21:15she looked up at him her eyes shining with tears i watched them quietly from the back of the crowd
21:21when it was time for gifts adrian stepped forward with a velvet box he flipped open the lid with his
21:26thumb
21:27and the crowd gasped inside lay an emerald necklace colombian stones the size of thumbnails were joined
21:35by delicate platinum links and fell in glittering layers i recognized it at once it had appeared in
21:41sotheby's catalog last spring valued at more than 10 million i had seen adrian's name on the buyer list
21:47and foolishly thought it was for me a gift for our wedding he lifted the necklace from the box and
21:52held it
21:52high the emerald swayed gently he spoke his voice carrying across the silent hall celeste i want
21:58you to have something that reminds you how precious you are to all of us happy birthday celeste's eyes
22:03widened then a smile bloomed across her face she reached out and traced the smooth surface of the
22:07largest stone with her fingertip it's beautiful adrian it's truly beautiful but the next second her smile
22:15froze she shook her head no i can't accept it it's far too valuable she turned and searched the crowd
22:20until her gaze landed on me then she hurried straight over before i could move away she was
22:25already in front of me she shoved the necklace into my hand her fingers closed around mine with
22:30surprising strength as she spoke valentina this necklace should be yours you're adrian's fiance he
22:36should give it to you not me please take it no it's yours he gave it to you i frowned
22:42and tried to
22:42pull my hand free but she refused to let go her grip tightened as she pushed the necklace against my
22:47chest
22:47her face urgent and sincere you have to take it i can't keep something this valuable it wouldn't
22:53be right you deserve it more than i do i tried to break free suddenly her body pitched forward like
22:59a puppet with its strings cut and she slammed into me her shoulder struck me squarely in the chest
23:04and the force sent me staggering backward my hill caught the base of the champagne tower behind me crystal
23:11glasses shattered with a piercing crash champagne splashed across my gown and arms and shards glittered on the
23:17marble floor celeste landed safely in adrian's arms he caught her the instant she fell locking both
23:22hands around her waist she pressed against his chest buried her face in his shoulder and trembled his
23:27arms wrapped around her in a fierce protective hold adrian's voice sharpened with panic as his eyes
23:32swept over her checking for injuries are you all right celeste shook her head her voice muffled against
23:38his chest i think so i'm just terrified she grabbed me so hard adrian i never thought she'd do this
23:44adrian looked up sharply his expression turning cold valentina how could you do that i'm so
23:49disappointed in you my vision swayed i braced a hand against the table beside me and fought to stay
23:54upright adrian please i forced out a whisper so faint it was almost silent i didn't adrian before i could
24:00finish celeste let out a low moan and pressed a hand to her temple i'm so dizzy everything is
24:05spinning adrian spun around in three quick strides he reached her and swept her into his arms he carried
24:11her toward the door without looking back celeste lifted her head slightly and looked over his shoulder
24:15her eyes found mine then she smiled the smile was tiny barely a twitch at the corner of her mouth
24:20hidden where adrian couldn't see it but i saw it clearly then they disappeared outside
24:24leaving the two doors swinging slowly behind them
24:38valentina don't marry him
24:43do you want him gone
24:49two days before our wedding my fiance postponed it by 10 days for the woman he'd never gotten over
24:54celeste told me our wedding falls on the same day as her birthday party it's her first birthday since
24:59her husband died i can't miss it or she'll fall apart valentina we're going to get married sooner or
25:04later what difference does a week make this was the third time he had canceled our wedding because of
25:08celeste the first time celeste claimed she had severe depression he dropped everything rushed
25:14to her side and stayed with her for an entire week the second time celeste wanted to see the northern
25:20lights he worried about her traveling alone while she was emotionally fragile so he went with her and
25:26stayed away for 10 days now it was happening a third time but this time i didn't argue i didn't
25:30raise my voice or accuse him of anything he thought i was a helpless orphan with nowhere to go
25:35he believed i would never leave him he had no idea i was the princess of the powerful romano crime
25:39family
25:41to hide my identity and marry an ordinary man outside our world i'd made a three-month bet with
25:47my father i bet i could live a normal life and marry the man i chose but i lost my
25:53fiance
25:53thought this was just another delay he didn't know there would never be another wedding
26:01when i got home i started packing my things
26:07an hour later my fiance adrian pushed open the door he saw the suitcase beside the bed and let out
26:13a cold laugh running away again valentina we've been together for four years every time we argue
26:19you pack a suitcase and threaten to leave aren't you tired of this little act
26:25his jaw tightened all because i postponed the wedding you're overreacting it's only 10 days
26:32valentina 10 days it's not like i'm refusing to marry you impatience filled his voice but i didn't
26:40back down i'm not running away i'm just sorting through my things in my head i finished the sentence
26:46so i can leave you for good since you're already packing why don't you clear out the guest room too
26:52celeste has been feeling low and needs company she'll stay with us for a while i pushed my pack
26:59suitcase into the corner without lifting my eyes all right i'll have a guest room prepared i agreed so
27:05easily that he froze one hand still clutched his tie as he searched my face for the anger i must
27:10be
27:10hiding then his shoulders relaxed and his tone softened listen i know this isn't easy for you
27:17go to ivy jewelry tomorrow and choose anything you like i'll pay and i probably won't have much time
27:23for you over the next few days celeste bought a place near ours and needs help setting it up
27:29furniture cleaning that sort of thing i promised i'd supervise the workers he stepped closer and rested a
27:36hand on my shoulder after celeste's birthday i'll make it up to you i promise no need i have plenty
27:43to do actually i was planning to clear some things out of the music room adrian nodded distractedly
27:50already turning toward the hallway perfect celeste likes the light in that room she wants to use it as
27:56her study move out all that useless stuff so she can decorate it i drew a slow breath fine the
28:03music
28:03room is hers so was he for the next hour i contacted my staff and arranged for a complete set
28:10of bedding
28:11and toiletries to be delivered to the villa every item was chosen to match celeste's famously picky taste
28:16i knew her preferences almost better than my own whenever adrian spoke about her over the years i had
28:21committed every little detail to memory later i passed the kitchen the stove was roaring adrian
28:29stood at the counter with his back to the door cooking he gripped a frying pan in one hand and
28:34used the other to drop raw vegetables into a bubbling pot his shirt sleeves were rolled to his forearms
28:38exposing the firm muscles beneath a crooked apron hung from his waist its ties dangling loose behind him
28:43sweat beaded at his temples and dampened the hair clinging to his skin celeste leaned against the island
28:47beside him her elbows resting on the marble countertop as she tilted her head she
28:51wore a loose house dress and stood barefoot on the cool tile every few seconds she brushed the damp
28:55hair from his forehead or wiped the sweat between his brows the gestures were natural and practiced
29:00they looked like a loving married couple i froze in the doorway my feet rooted to the floor creamy
29:05mushroom soup simmered on the stove celeste's favorite i stood there and watched for exactly three
29:10seconds then i turned and walked toward the end of the hall adrian's footsteps followed he caught
29:14up at the corner still holding the soup ladle irritation flashing across his face valentina celeste
29:19hasn't had much of an appetite lately she can barely eat i only made her a quick meal don't read
29:25too
29:25much into it i looked at the ladle in his hand a drop of thick creamy soup clung to the
29:30rim something
29:31crushed my chest and my breaths turned quick and shallow ever since we moved into this villa ever
29:36since i took my place beside him as his fiancee i had managed everything in our home every meal every
29:41purchase every holiday gift for both families every guest list for every dinner i tended the garden
29:45every night i matched his cuff links to his tie and laid them neatly on the dressing room tray i
29:50never
29:50let him worry about a single household detail but now he stood at the stove chopping seasoning and
29:55plating a table full of another woman's favorite dishes she watched him with a gentle possessive
29:59smile he even wiped a spot of sauce from the corner of her mouth with his thumb i lowered my
30:03eyes when i
30:04spoke my voice was so faint i barely recognized it she suffered a terrible loss of course she needs
30:09someone to care for her it's perfectly normal for you to cook for her adrian's shoulders visibly
30:14relaxed he stepped closer kissed my forehead and smiled against my skin with relief you really have
30:20changed a year ago if you saw me cooking for another woman you went smearing mars and you would have
30:25smashed a vase over my head by the way celesta's birthday is in two days her husband used to throw
30:30her a grand party every year but now he's gone as her friend i want you to help me plan
30:35a beautiful
30:35birthday party for her i told myself not to care not to compare but bitterness still rose inside me
30:44my birthday was only a few days away too adrian used to book a rooftop restaurant a month in advance
30:49he chose a necklace himself wrapped it with his own hands and rented the entire terrace for a
30:54fireworks display then he held my waist and whispered in my ear i love you sweetheart you deserve
30:59the best of everything but this year he had forgotten completely all his attention went to celeste
31:05i lowered my eyes i'll handle it i'll make sure everything suits her taste adrian paused a
31:12complicated look flashing in his eyes we had fought over celeste countless times before he thought i was
31:16being unreasonable i thought he had crossed every boundary now i had volunteered to plan her entire
31:22party that clearly caught him off guard he nodded do whatever you think is best but don't go overboard
31:29she isn't in good health i swallowed my bitterness and answered understood his gaze softened and he
31:34started to follow me back to the bedroom i gently raised a hand and stopped him go stay with celeste
31:40she needs you adrian frowned you really don't mind me being alone with her i shook my head of course
31:45not
31:45you grew up together it's only right that you look after her this time i wouldn't stand between them
31:50the wariness vanished from his face he ruffled my hair as if i were a child who had finally learned
31:55to behave you've grown up celeste has been through so much we need to protect her don't be jealous
32:01anymore okay i wouldn't be never again i had already decided once celeste's birthday party ended i would
32:07leave her at his side i had rehearsed my departure in my mind quiet clean without a scene at last
32:15they
32:15could have the life they had always wanted for the next two days i poured everything into the party
32:20it would be held in the glass greenhouse behind the villa to match every dish and flour to celeste's
32:25taste i changed florists three times and pastry chefs twice even the petals floating in the three-tier
32:31fountain were flown in from southern italy the estate manager frowned at the bill i signed it without
32:36a word no one knew this party was the countdown to my disappearance on the night of the party the
32:41sinclair villa blazed with light a thousand crystal lights hung beneath the glass greenhouse dome
32:46expensive two bros perfume hung heavy in the air almost intoxicating the guests arrived one after
32:51another all among the most powerful people in the city their eyes widened the moment they stepped
32:56inside whispers spread through every corner no one understood why i had gone to such lengths for my
33:01fiance's widowed childhood friend they all thought i had lost my mind i stood alone in a corner with a
33:06glass of champagne my smile flawless adrian approached i lightly touched his arm and leaned close to whisper in
33:13his ear let celeste have the first dance tonight belongs to her surprise flashed in his eyes then
33:19turned to approval the first notes of a waltz filled the greenhouse and adrian led celeste to the center of
33:24the dance floor her champagne colored satin gown gleamed like liquid gold beneath the lights she looked up
33:30at him her eyes shining with tears i watched them quietly from the back of the crowd when it was
33:36time for
33:36gifts adrian stepped forward with a velvet box he flipped open the lid with his thumb and the crowd gasped
33:44inside lay an emerald necklace colombian stones the size of thumbnails were joined by delicate platinum links
33:50and fell in glittering layers i recognized it at once it had appeared in sotheby's catalog last spring
33:57valued at more than 10 million i had seen adrian's name on the buyer list and foolishly thought it was
34:02for me
34:03a gift for our wedding he lifted the necklace from the box and held it high the emerald swayed gently
34:08he spoke his voice carrying across the silent hall celeste i want you to have something that
34:13reminds you how precious you are to all of us happy birthday celeste's eyes widened then a smile
34:18bloomed across her face she reached out and traced the smooth surface of the largest stone with her
34:23fingertip it's beautiful adrian it's truly beautiful but the next second her smile froze she shook her head
34:31no i can't accept it it's far too valuable she turned and searched the crowd until her gaze landed
34:35on me then she hurried straight over before i could move away she was already in front of me
34:40she shoved the necklace into my hand her fingers closed around mine with surprising strength as she
34:45spoke valentina this necklace should be yours you're adrian's fiance he should give it to you not me
34:52please take it no it's yours he gave it to you i frowned and tried to pull my hand free
34:58but she
34:58refused to let go her grip tightened as she pushed the necklace against my chest her face urgent and
35:03sincere you have to take it i can't keep something this valuable it wouldn't be right you deserve it
35:09more than i do i tried to break free suddenly her body pitched forward like a puppet with its strings
35:14cut
35:14and she slammed into me her shoulder struck me squarely in the chest and the force sent me
35:20staggering backward my hill caught the base of the champagne tower behind me crystal glasses
35:26shattered with a piercing crash champagne splashed across my gown and arms and shards glittered on the
35:31marble floor celeste landed safely in adrian's arms he caught her the instant she fell locking both
35:36hands around her waist she pressed against his chest buried her face in his shoulder and trembled his
35:41arms wrapped around her in a fierce protective hold adrian's voice sharpened with panic as his
35:46eyes swept over her checking for injuries are you all right celeste shook her head her voice
35:51muffled against his chest i think so i'm just terrified she grabbed me so hard adrian i never
35:57thought she'd do this adrian looked up sharply his expression turning cold valentina how could you do
36:02that i'm so disappointed in you my vision swayed i braced a hand against the table beside me and
36:08fought to stay upright adrian please i forced out a whisper so faint it was almost silent i didn't
36:13adrian before i could finish celeste let out a low moan and pressed a hand to her temple i'm so
36:18dizzy
36:19everything is spinning adrian spun around in three quick strides he reached her and swept her into his
36:25arms he carried her toward the door without looking back celeste lifted her head slightly and looked over
36:29his shoulder her eyes found mine then she smiled the smile was tiny barely a twitch at the corner of
36:34her
36:35mouth hidden where adrian couldn't see it but i saw it clearly then they disappeared outside
36:39leaving the two doors swinging slowly behind them