Mary's penthouse suite occupied the very top floor of the hotel, a sanctuary of privacy and quiet.

At Briony's knock, the door swung open almost immediately.

Mary stood there in a beige dress, her delicate features bare of makeup, lips pale as if the color had drained from them.

"Briony, thank you for coming," Mary's voice trembled on the edge of tears.

Briony, with a woman's intuition, saw right away that Mary was in a bad place.

She stepped inside, and Mary closed the door quietly behind her.

"Briony, can I get you something to drink? There's coffee, tea, juice-"

"Mary, I didn't come here to catch up," Briony interrupted, fixing her with a steady gaze. "Just say what you want to say."

Mary looked at her, eyes shining with unshed tears.

you disappointed in

willing to gamble your entire career

control myself. When I found out I was carrying Ferdinand's child, I couldn't convince myself it was just an accident. This baby must have come

a headache coming

sure about keeping the baby, you could've just told me. Instead, you waited until the tabloids exposed it, putting

I didn't expect to

temples, trying to

you and Ferdinand were genuinely in love, I wouldn't say another word. But this was just a mistake between you-one you even signed a three-year contract over. You know what that is? It's a transaction, plain and simple. What good can come of it for

a bitter smile. "I'm not asking for much. I just want a child that

her

sharp, ambitious young woman she once knew was gone, lost

she

holding out hope for Ferdinand. At the same time, she was afraid

wasn't about to bet on someone who'd lost her grip

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