Her wedding had been a grand affair, known to all. She''d thought it was just a formality, but now the situation had spiraled out of her control. It was no longer just about her and Hawthorne; it was about the honor of the entire Langford family.


    Gwh was so lost in thought that she didn''t even notice when Hawthorne took her hand. “What are you thinking about? You look pale."


    He watched her expressions constantly. The elders'' proposal had yed right into his hands. Though he had known Gwh for less than half a year, he understood her stubborn nature perfectly. Once she made up her mind, nothing could change it. The Langford elders had unintentionally done him a huge favor. Otherwise, after the Greenvale ceremony at the end of the year, a trip to city hall for a divorce would have been inevitable. The only thing that worried Hawthorne now was her womb— he''d been putting in the effort, but he had no idea when it would bear fruit.


    Gwh remained in a daze. She followed Hawthorne into the car and only snapped back to reality when they pulled up to her family''s home.


    "Gwyn, are you sure you don''t want toe back to Greenvale with me?" He hoped she would, wanting her under his watch where he could feel at ease.


    Gwh, her face ashen, shook her head. "I just got back. I want to spend some time with my parents. You can go back by yourself." She couldn''t bear the thought of being in Greenvale, a ce that reminded her so much of him.


    Hawthorne''s expression darkened slightly, but he considered that it might be a wise move for her to stay. The business he had to attend to wasn''t exactly above board, and if she came along, it would likely lead to even more misunderstandings.


    "Alright. I''lle get you after I''m done."


    "Don''t bother," she replied coolly. "There are still a few months until the Greenvale ceremony. I can stay in Starfall City and just head over when the timees." Her words were a direct refusal.


    Hawthorne didn''t press her, deciding he woulde for her personally after settling things with James and would give her a proper exnation then. Pine, Gwyn Whatever you want. I''ll listen to you." His words made him sound like the perfect, doting husband.


    Gwh pulled her hand away and went upstairs to rest, but sleep wouldn''te. She tossed and turned, her mind racing. The distant whir ofa helicopter broke the silence Hawthorne was gene. Med left in the dead of night. She sat up in bed as the thrumming of the rotor des pounded against her heart.


    Was Patti Yale really so important that he couldn''t even wait until morning to rush back to Greenvale?


    Gwh cried through the night. In the morning, she opened the curtains, and while the sunlight filled the room with warmth, her heart remained trapped in a deste winter.


    Leonie had been waking up early recently, sending her a brief greeting before disappearing for the day. Gwh typed out a reply to her morning message. "Your uncle went back to Greenvale."


    "What? You''re newlyweds and he already left?" Leonie''s reply came quickly.


    She was still at Max''s ce, where he was recovering well. His friends, seeing Leonie there, had seized


    opportunity, making all sorts of excuses about being unable to care to leave.


    for him whenever she tri


    So Leonie was trie Leonie was tricked into being their freebor day after day. She would care for Max during the day


    and go home at night when


    someone else stayed over.


    Leonie was in and out so quickly that she did little more than sleep at home. Seeing


    her sopliant, Mrs. Everhart didn''t bother her, assuming she was just exhausted from a demanding schedule at her drama club.