When the butler led Eve into the grand drawing room, Augustine was already t

He did not acknowl

en dulled by a deepening numbness. Eve sat on

a Chanel suit, her face a mask of perpetual disapproval. Her eyes, sharp as a hawk's, raked Eve from head

a silver-handled cane. She took her seat at the he

sweeping over Augustine and Eve. "Augustine, be more discreet in future. The R

rd the true emphasis: before the wedding is finalize

assent, his eyes stil

mother. Some people are simply not fit to carry the Rhodes name.

into the soft skin of her palms. Sh

aze to her lap, where her hands were

line further. "Can't even speak for

g his journal. His brow was furrowed - not in de

. His voice was flat, like a CEO an

er media speculation, we've decided that the wedd

A polite wor

as supposed to celebrate their union, had been erased by a

at him, her voice a disbelieving

. "She is one of the parties involved in this m

id you hear that? Auggie discusses his decisio

ands and feet icy. Her wedding. Her husband. Discussing its canc

She looked directly at Augustine. "So in

e, perhaps - crossed his face. He

he most brutal co

. "Enough. The matter is settled. A postponement

e vicious aunt, the calculating grandmother. She was an

urned, straightened her spine, and

e's parting shot: "

room. She got into her car, started the engine, an

ghway did she realize her v

ring wheel, and finally let the sobs come. Months of quiet desperat

e diamond ring on her left hand. It was a

f her finger. Her hand flew up, ready to hurl it o

er fist and pushed the rin

ow emptiness. She wiped her face, her eyes

t drive back t

she had not been in a yea

ling she had not known in a

li