2019, March 26thWhen James and Cassandra entered Aaron's suite, the two brothers approached each other warily. Cassandra watched the tense situation unfold, hoping it didn't end like last time. In the end, though, they reached out for each other at the same time and hugged it out."You should've come to me, you dumbass.""I know. I'm sorry."Having changed and cleaned herself up a bit, Zoey waited at the door, content to watch the interaction from the other side of the room. She smiled. She couldn't remember the last time she was this happy. The sight of them hugging brought her peace. This meant that things would be okay now, didn't it?"I need to get back," said James, as they sat down.Aaron's eyes found Zoey, standing by the door. She was disappointed."I actually just came to ask for some advice," said James."I've been looking into Maine Industries. I took a look at the books, courtesy of Emily and it's not common knowledge yet, but I think Duke Maine is broke?""Sounds about r

2019, March 26thThat night, as per Aaron’s instructions, Zoey showed up at The Honey Trap on her own and took a seat at the bar, crossing her legs. She ordered a Chardonnay, also as per his instruction, and then she waited. In a few minutes, Aaron came and sat down next to her. “Whatever I do, just follow my lead. Okay?” he said, looking straight ahead. “Okay,” she answered. She could do this. She could sit next to Aaron in this ridiculously uncomfortable dress and somehow handle whatever he threw her way. Yup, she was fine. Totally fine. He turned to her and subtly took her hand, gently tracing circles on the top of her hand, remembering that she was ticklish there. Sure enough, in a few seconds, she gave light little giggles. Aaron’s eyes darkened, clouded over with lust as his eyes dropped to her cleavage. Zoey’s face reddened. His face produced a dangerously sexy smile to go with the lustful look. He was making her uncomfortable, and he didn’t seem to care, not this time. He

2019, March 27th (Copia) When James and Emily sat down with Duke Maine for a second time, he said, "You should be flattered. I have a rule about not letting people waste my time." James put three different folders down in front of him, smiling coldly. He hadn't had time to prepare the last two times he met with Duke Maine and came away both times feeling somewhat like he'd lost. And James Beaumont didn't lose. Ever. He was going to enjoy this. He slipped the first to Duke Maine. "I have a rule too. I don't sign contracts my lawyers haven’t looked at," said James. Curious, Duke Maine picked up the folder and flipped through the contract he and James had signed a few months ago. He found a highlighted clause and even Duke Maine couldn't hide his surprise. The contract had looked standard when he reviewed it at Eleganter Ludo, but then he had only glimpsed at it. He didn't think his daughter's future husband would try to screw him over. Ironically, he hadn't. This was all just dumb

2019, March 28th(Caines)Zoey had been looking for Aaron all night, having run out the door after him the moment she could make her mind comprehend that he had left. She went everywhere he’d ever taken her, finally ending up in front of the cabin. The lights were on, but now that she might have found him, she didn’t know if she should be here after all. The door opened, and she gasped. “Won’t you come in?” he asked. She stepped inside. He was a mess. He looked like he hadn’t slept all night and he reeked of alcohol. “Aaron. I-”“You’re sorry, right?” he said absentmindedly, staring intently at a photo of them he had had framed and put on the mantle. It was of her asleep on the floor in his arms in front of the fireplace. She couldn’t answer him, her eyes now also glued to the image, to the memory. When she was brave enough, she looked. Seeing the pain she had caused him, was causing him, the hurt she’d allowed herself to ignore because he hurt her first, broke her heart. “Fathe

2019, March 28thThe walls were filled end to end with paintings of little events, moments they had shared. There was one from the first time he’d asked her to dance. It captured everything, down to every last little detail. The way he bowed, the dress she wore, the way her hair was put up. There was one of her getting out of the car as he waited for her on the streets of Caines, one of her in the red dress he had picked for the restaurant. She knew for a fact she hadn’t looked that good that night. There were many different ones: of her taking his hand and opening up his fist when he got angry at the bellboy Ren, of him throwing her over his shoulder, of her in the wedding dress when she was still in the boutique trying it on, of him kissing her cheek on the day of the press conference, of Zoey asleep in bed next to him, of him kneeling before her at the duchess’ welcome as he gave her his mother’s ring, of her kneeling with him after the fight, of their first real kiss on a corn