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I step back to let her in. Michail crosses his arms as he continues to stare. My anger swells. I understand all too well struggling with trust. But I’m putting myself out there, placing an entire year of my life in this man’s hands. Forgiving thecruel things he’s said over the past six weeks even though his explanation didn’t include an apology.

And he can’t stomach the thought of me being with his mother for five minutes?

It’s only through sheer will that I keep my voice low as I step out into the hall.

“If you can’t trust me to be alone with your mother in the amount of time it takes for you to walk down to the elevator and back, we can call this ceremony off right now.”

His eyes harden. His lips part, but before he can say anything, I turn and walk back into my room, closing the door with a soft click even as I imagine slamming it with enough force to rattle the paintings off the wall.

Bastard.

I push my anger aside and focus on Sarah. She’s standing by the window, arms folded protectively across her chest as she gazes down at the clouds.

“This view is incredible.”

I join her at the window. “It is. Your son’s been very generous.”

With some things, I silently add.

She smiles at me. “He is generous. Sometimes to a fault.” She takes a deep, shuddering breath. “Thank you. For noticing.”

“You’re welcome.” I pause, unsure of what to say, not wanting to hurt but also wanting to make her feel more comfortable. “Gavriil and Rafe are good men.”

“A miracle given they lived in the same house as Lucifer.” She shakes her head. “I’m grateful Michail is getting to know them. I imagine I will, too, if they’re comfortable with that.”

“Gavriil will be. Rafe is quieter. But from the little time I’ve spent with them, they both seem kind.”

Sarah continues to stare out the window, her gaze distant. She may be looking out over New York City. But I know she’s notseeing the clouds and spires. She’s seeing the man who nearly ruined her life.

“Rafael looks so much like him.” Her words are barely a whisper. “I’ve only seen pictures. I know he’s not Lucifer.”

“Knowing and feeling are two different things.”

Her smile is deeper, more genuine. “I appreciate the grace. Michail wouldn’t have invited him here if he was anything like Lucifer.”

I remember the tightly leashed fury in Michael’s voice when he had rejected Lucifer as his father. “No.”

With a quick shake of her shoulders, she turns from the window. “I’m ready.” She reaches out and lays a hand over mine. “Thank you, Alessandra. Unless you actually had something to show me and weren’t just creating a pretense for an old woman?”

My eyes dart to the closet. My first inclination is to tell her I’m fine, that I thought she could just use a helping hand. But she’s looking at me with trust in her eyes, an affection based on one fleeting encounter and an elaborately concocted lie. Guilt intertwines with a need to involve Sarah, to have her be a part of the wedding in some fashion.

I cross over to the closet. “I could actually use your advice, if you don’t mind?”

“No, not at all.”

The delight in her voice makes me smile even as my heart clenches. Sarah and my mom could have been very good friends.

My hand stills over the first garment bag. My mom kept herself locked up tight. She was friendly but didn’t make friends. She took lovers but didn’t allow herself to love. An existence I admired for years. There were no fights, no drama, no broken hearts.

But now, as I glance over my shoulder at Sarah, I realize there would have been no room for the kind of connection I justexperienced. If I had met Sarah when my mother was still alive, I would have helped her, but I wouldn’t have asked her to stay.

How much have I missed out on living my life inside a bubble?

I swallow past the lump in my throat, pull the two bags down and move over to my massive bed.

“I purchased two dresses.” I lay them on top of the silk comforter and unzip the smaller bag. “I bought this first. Tea length, empire waist, cap sleeves.”

Elegant. Simple. Practical, almost indistinguishable from my daily work wardrobe aside from the ivory-colored material.