The night was still, silence cloaking the world in a heavy calm.

Julian stood alone in the study, gazing out at the expanse of pure, untouched snow. The scene outside was blindingly white, but his thoughts were a storm of shadows. Again and again, Francesca’s face flashed before him—her voice trembling, her eyes brimming with tears, her expression carved with despair.

Fran... she could never accept this, could she?

His gaze darkened as it pierced ...