Marianne dabbed her mouth with the edge of her napkin and leaned back slightly, her gaze fixed on the scene before her. Melanie sat stiffly at the table, shoulders tight, eyes downcast, as she forced herself to chew the slices of fruit laid out before her. She clearly did not want them.
But there was Cadence Sint, seated beside her, watching every bite like a hawk. He did not raise his voice or speak a word, yet the weight of his presence left no room for refusal. He was controlling to the point of deciding not only what she ate but how much would go into her mouth.
It was fascinating to watch.
Very good, Marianne thought, a slow curl of satisfaction forming inside her. It seemed fate had decided to bless her in ways she had not even expected. On one hand stood Adam Collins, so intent on destroying Melody and breaking her completely, all so he could secure the inheritance he believed was rightfully his.
