It cast a pale light into the room, painting everything in shades of gray.
She rose from the bed, exhaustion dragging at her limbs as she made her way to the terrace overlooking the sprawling grounds of their estate.
The gardens lay shrouded in a ground-hugging fog, the dew-kissed flowers blooming in silent defiance of the turmoil that had beset her world.
In the distance, a figure rose out of the mist-covered lake.
Their silhouette was a dark smudge against the golden hues of sunrise.
Mak.
Her heart clenched when she spotted him striding to a towel on the beach and toweling off in the early morning light.
For a moment, she hesitated, unsure whether to approach him.
However, a deeper instinct pushed her forward, compelling her to bridge the distance that separated them.
She left her room, shrouded in a robe, and cautiously descended the staircase.
The cool marble floor chilled her bare feet as she approached the open doorway leading to the garden.
As she stepped outside, the crisp morning air embraced her, carrying the musky scent of damp soil and blooming flowers.
It took a few minutes to get to where he was.
At the sound of her footsteps, Mak turned to face her, his expression unreadable as his gaze met hers.
Arced emotion crackled between them.
‘You’re up early,’ he murmured, his voice rough and rasped. ‘Or did you stay up late?’
‘I couldn’t sleep,’ she replied, her words hanging as she avoided gazing at the water streaking down his muscled chest from his still-wet hair. ‘You?’
He huffed under his breath. ‘Seems we are both afflicted with insomnia. I chose a swim to try and tire myself out.’
She stared at him, noting the battle-worn lines on his face with concern. ‘Everything OK?’
‘As it ever will be when you’re trying to keep this shit together and remain ahead of any possible threats to the Signet company and our small family,’ he continued. ‘How was theSelseevent?’
‘Eventful,’ she sighed. ‘I survived it.’
He clicked his teeth and glanced away. ‘On that note, will you ever tell me where Shiloh went?’
Saba jolted. It’s the question she’d dreaded for days, the one everyone was asking.
She vacillated. Did she dare tell him the truth and gain his trust, or avoid it and risk his wrath?
She took the more arduous road. Better now than never.
‘Shiloh made poor choices, which would have embarrassed you asŠar. She became entangled in her feelings for a man. She’s now with him. She was adamant she couldn’t marry you when she loved another.’
Mak’s eyes flickered, and he tilted a brow in surprise.
Her shoulders tensed as he processed the truth she’d laid bare.
‘Why didn’t you tell me earlier?’
His timbre was soft, tinged with hurt and betrayal as he moved closer, bridging the gap between them. ‘Why Saba?’
