Chapter 42

Rose stared

at Stefan, the wedding invitation sample still clutched in her hand. The gold- embossed lettering seemed to mock her now.

"What do you mean, postponed?" Her voice came out too high, too tight.

Stefan loosened his tie, exhaustion etched into every line of his face. "Just what I said. We need to push the wedding back. Until things stabilize with the company.

"Push it back? Push it back?" The invitation crumpled in her grip. "We've sent save-

the-dates to three hundred people. The venue is booked. The deposit is paid!"

"I know." Stefan moved to the bar, pouring himself a drink without offering her one. "My father made it a condition of his help with the company. No distractions. Full focus on saving what's left."

Rose watched him toss back expensive scotch like it was water. The careful control she'd maintained all these years

began to slip."Your father doesn't control our lives."

"He controls the board. He controls the family shares. Right now, he's the only thing standing between me and complete professional ruin." Stefan poured another drink. It's just a few months. Once I save the c

"If you save the company," Rose corrected, her voice laced with venom. "Let's be honest, Stefan. Your business is sinking, and you have no idea who's behind it."

He flinched as if she'd slapped him. "Thanks for the vote of confidence."

"I'm being realistic." She advanced on him, the crushed invitation still in her hand. "We've planned this wedding for a year. A year!

York will be there. This is our

face her, something hardening in his expression. "My company is crashing. My family legacy is at risk. And you're worried about a

strangled laugh. "Is that what you

his shoulder, but the action broke something loose inside her. All the careful planning, the

wedding? For is?" She grabbed a crystal vase from the side table, feeling its weight in her

head, water and flowers exploding across imported wallpaper. Stefan stared at her, shock replacing exhaustion. "Jesus, Rase! What's wrong with you?" "What's wrong with me?" She seized a framed photo of them, ripping it from

it!" Stefan grabbed for her arms, but she twisted away, snatching a

to have you," she hissed, "after everything, I

like suspicion dawning in

unanswerable. For a

rage took over again. The bottle smashed against the marble fireplace, alcohol spraying across family photos,

tore from her throat. "While you played husband to my

another act of destruction. A crystal paperweight through the television

"Rose, you need to calm down. This isn't

on her tongue. "Poor, sweet Camille who everyone loved. Camille who got everything handed to her while I had

Rose." Stefan's voice held an edge she'd never heard before.

perfect apartment. Something in his tone cut

agreed, sudden caution threading

your father's company. Not your family

us to postpone now. Too much time. Too much

you do, Rose?

question struck like lightning, unexpected and searing. Had he suspected all along? Had he seen through her careful

Rose forced

breaking, "Nothing Just.. this isn't the Rose I know." She laughed, the sound

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