Based on what Leonard knew about M, she was never the type to fall for someone so easily-especially not a man she''d only met once. Did she really know the guy at all?


    And this wasn''t just any trivial matter-it was marriage.


    He had to admit, though, Johnnie was certainly attractive. But M had seen plenty of handsome men in her life, some even better looking than him. Herst boyfriend, for instance.


    Was it just his youth and good looks that drew her in?


    Leonard hesitated for a moment, the question gnawing at him. In the end, he knew he had to ask, even if it made him sound intrusive. As their car inched forward through a traffic jam, he finally found the words. "Chairman Suthend, are you nning to remarry?"


    M didn''t bother to sugarcoat her response for Leonard. Her tone was cool, almost dismissive. "And what''s that got to do with you?"


    It was bad enough he''d meddled with her security arrangements back home. Now he wanted to interfere in her personal life, too? Did he truly have so much free time?


    "That''s not what I meant," Leonard said, trying to keep his tone diplomatic. "It''s just... In Mr. Suthend''s will, he requested that if you ever considered remarriage, the Montgomery family should help vet the man''s character for you. If he''s a good sort, the Montgomery family will personally organize the wedding- only the very best standards, of course. That way, Mr. Suthend can rest easy... wherever he is."


    "Vet his character?" M let out a sharp, humorlessugh.


    Lysander, of all people, wanting to vet someone else''s character? She''d be grateful enough not to end up with another man like him. Since when had Lysander ever been generous or well-meaning?


    She''d sooner pray that, if she ever did remarry, the man wouldn''t get so riled up he''d climb out of his grave to hassle her again. He''d always been a petty, infuriating stickler.


    Her mood soured. She turned to stare out the car window. The city lights shimmered in the night, and the traffic ahead had finally started moving. Her voice was low and curt. "Thanks, but there''s no need. Even if I do remarry, that''s the Suthend family''s business, not yours."


    Montgomery Manor


    Evening had settled over the estate. Felicity, whose memory had been slippingtely but whose spirits ran high, rushed over as soon as she saw M, drawn in by the faint scent that clung to her.


    "You smell amazing! What is that?"


    "Perfume, I guess." M remembered her earlier meeting with Johnnie-she hadn''t thought the scent was that strong, but it lingered with surprising persistence.


    "It''s roses," Felicity said, hugging M and breathing in the scent.


    "Do you like it?" M smiled, her tone gentle.


    "I love it!"


    "Well, wait a bit. They don''t sell it here, but I''ll ask around tomorrow. If I can get my hands on it, I''ll bring some for you next time."


    "M, you''re the best!"


    Felicity''s clear eyes sparkled with happiness as she tugged M toward the art studio, brimming with energy. "Come on, M! I finished a new painting, you have to see it!"


    "It''ste, sweetheart," Conrad interjected, but when Felicity shot him a re, he fell silent, shing M a helpless smile when she nced over in confusion. What was that about?


    Curious, M followed Felicity into the studio and immediately spotted the painting at the center of the room. Unlike Felicity''s previous, death-tinged works-dark and Reavy with shadow-this one was vivid and grand in color: a breathtaking view of a coastal town.


    The sea was created fromyered shades of blue, vast and full of motion. White seagulls soared overhead, while the colorful houses along the coast radiated life and vibrancy.


    It was alive-creative and full of hope.


    M stood before it for a long time. Her chest tightened, and she felt a sting in her nose. For the first time in ages, she saw Felicity produce something so full of joy and light.


    She''d always thought Felicity could only paint those twisted, morbid pieces- brilliant, but suffocating.


    But here was proof she was capable of so much more. Was this the real Felicity, before darkness crept in?


    So bright. So beautiful.


    Was her memory loss a curse, or maybe some strange sort of blessing?


    As M wavered, Felicity''s eager voice broke through her thoughts. "Well? What do you think? It''s a town in Italy!"


    Italy. M''s ears caught the word instantly, and her heart skipped. Shadows flickered in her eyes as she looked at the smiling woman beside her. "Italy? A town there?"


    "Yep!" Felicity beamed. "When I was little, Grandpa took me to Italy for an international art festival. We stayed there for a while. It was so beautiful! I told Grandpa I''d go to college in Italy-study art in Florence!


    Just mentioning it made her mood dip. She pouted, "I was old enough, but Conrad -the big meanie-wouldn''t let me go! Kept me locked up at home. I don''t want to talk to him anymore!"


    Now M understood Conrad''s strange expression earlier. Felicity''s memory had regressed to when she was eighteen?


    She studied the woman''s animated face-frustrated, yes, but her clear eyes sparkled with youthful hope, her whole expression open and endearing. So, everything that came after... was that what changed her?


    Such a bright, promising age.


    "Oh, hey-why are you crying?"


    Felicity, still grumbling, suddenly noticed M''s silent tears. Flustered, she reached out to gently wipe them away. "M, what''s wrong? Did someone hurt you?"