ions," Baila

lp me with my ba

generously, drenching her skin in its floral fragrance. As she caught her reflection, she thought of Rowan-his

't wait an

er one shoulder. "Remember, you're nothing but a cheap stand-

n was standing before the Frenc

Phoebe purred as

t as soon as she drew close, an overpowe

c rose fragrance as

ion, he shoved her away. "What is that smell

ned. The scen

lept in his bed

d Baila'

ngerous suspicion. "So it was

the truth, Phoebe knew i

a laugh. "I just bathed with flowe

it off. I want the original scent. O

before rushing out. A tremor shot through her body

*

tepped into her room, her face dark. Baila asked, "Pho

sleep with my husband

was st

ing her into Ro

Baila said immediat

ly that her nails dug into her pal

go, he would figure out the truth. And if that hap

oebe pulled out her phon

nt she saw the screen-her grandmother dressed in a thin hospit

er chest rising and falling weakly

I'll have them remove her oxygen mask right now. She m

acked. She looked at Phoe

fully-I don't care what happens; you're not allowed to have

d have been her night-her chance to be with Rowa

er choice. She would let Baila do this n

aila said

isgusting scar. Don't scare my husba

s face did she feel even a little bette

ation. Instead, she picked up the makeup remover. Slowly, sh

like stars, and a radiance so striking it seemed to light up the room. Eve

face had been

oward the ma

would sleep b

eir paths would never cross again. Yet here she

and the cold warning he had given her, s

hen Baila slipped in, careful to sta

one with the clear, reserved eyes. She had seemed composed, even di

rvant aside and opened his eyes, his gaze

tress, her body tense. It seemed a single s

kened. "Why are you so

before moving

senses were filled with a fa

icate yet intoxicating, unlike

Rowan's voice was

in his

to, but she was pretending to be Phoebe tonight

iffly rolling i

rip settling on her shoulders. He buried

r was subtle bu

you use last tim

y perfume," Bail

t your natural sce

t brushed against Baila's cheek. Heat rushed to her face.

ngers gripped her chin, tilting her face towar

o the servant. She had ca

at. She had been so nervou

bled for an excuse. "It's just... This is my first time slee

f her face. Phoebe had always been beautiful. But now,

rosy, her thick, flowing hair framing a face that seemed almost

day seemed ordin

the woman he was hold

s brushed along her jaw, grazing her skin lightly.

gged by Old Mrs. Hayes that

er. "Then what sh

Rowan, Baila felt so shy. She wanted

hastily before burying

he truth-that the woman in his arms wasn't Phoebe, but the very se

's eyes. He hadn't been trying to teas

t; his Adam's apple b