Chapter 1

For seven years, Hudson Calloway — the crown prince of the capital's elite circle — had spoiled me rotten. On the day we were supposed to walk into the county clerk's office with the whole city's media watching, he didn't show up. Instead, he issued twelve lockdown orders at the airport to keep his childhood sweetheart from leaving — the girl who'd been diagnosed with depression.

Everyone laughed and said my fairy tale had shattered. Hudson was convinced I'd wait for him like a loyal dog. He didn't even bother hiding the condescension when he tried to smooth things over: "Sophia, Evelyn is sick. You're perfectly healthy — can't you be the bigger person here? The title of Mrs. Calloway will be yours eventually."

What he didn't know was that I walked away and tore up the engagement contract on the spot. Then I dialed the number of the man who actually ran things in this city.

"Mr. York," I said. "That alliance marriage you mentioned — is the offer still on the table?"

Later, Hudson Calloway ended up on his knees outside the York estate, kowtowing until his forehead bled, begging for just one chance to see me.