Chapter 15

Dorothea snapped back to reality and realized she had followed Latham all the way to his apartment.

The gray marble floor was cold and shiny, almost like a mirror. Besides the black leather sofa and a metal-framed floor lamp, the place was practically empty. The huge floor-to-ceiling windows looked out over the city lights, which was the only bit of color in the whole room. She never would have guessed that a notorious playboy would keep his home so minimal.

Standing there in a strange man’s apartment—even if he was technically her husband-Dorothea felt awkward and out of place. They definitely weren’t close enough to be sharing a bed.

“Maybe I should just go home,” she said quietly.

Latham pulled off his tie and tossed it onto the sofa. “Don’t make a fuss. I’m tired from that fight. No way I have the energy to drive you back.” He gave her a teasing look. “Or did you think I was planning to do something p>

Dorothea’s cheeks turned pink. She quickly looked down, staring at her own reflection in the cold marble floor. “I didn’t think anything,” she mumbled.

Latham let out a low laugh, then nudged her toward the guest room. “You can stay here.” He flicked on the light. “This one’s for you. The master bedroom? Keep dreaming p>

Once inside, Dorothea closed the door and quietly locked it. The bedding looked brand new. Her nerves eased a little. Maybe she didn’t dislike her so-called husband as much as she thought. Latham wasn’t quite what she’d pictured. Sure, he was a flirt, but maybe he had a gentlemanly side too? She couldn’t help but smile at how contradictory that sounded.

Her phone buzzed with a message.

Elise: [Tomorrow night at seven. Don’t be late p>

After the meeting between the two families tomorrow, it would be time for her to collect what her dear mother owed her.

That night, Dorothea barely slept. Maybe it was the unfamiliar room. Maybe it was thinking about the man who’d bothered her outside the club earlier. Whatever it was, she kept waking up, never really getting any rest. By the time the sky started to lighten, she slipped quietly out of Latham’s apartment.

Latham woke up at seven. When he saw the empty guest room, he paused for a moment. She really left?

He called his assistant. “Get someone to redo Ripple & Moon Bay. Add more warm colors. Make it quick p>

At seven that evening, Dorothea met

Elise at the club’s entrance. Elise

walked in on Layton’s arm. She looked Dorothea up and down, frowning at her plain white dress “Don’t you think that’s a little too simple p>

Layton just laughed. “Simple’s good. It makes her look dignified p>

“Alright, let’s go,” Elise said, leading the way inside.

As they walked, Elise kept giving instructions. “Dorothea, remember to be graceful and polite Be sweet Youre representing the Brown family, not just yourself p>

Dorothea replied calmly, “But my last name is Lane, not Brown p>

Elise shot her an annoyed look. “Without Layton, do you think you’d have a shot at marrying into a family like this p>

A waiter rushed past with a cart and accidentally bumped into Dorothea. fall

She lost her balance, about by

back when someone caught her the waist. The scent was instantly familiar.

She looked up. Was it really him?

Latham’s hands were gone from her waist almost immediately.

Layton looked even more shocked than Dorothea. “Mr. Stephens, you’re here too!” He gave Dorothea a look, urging her. “Dorothea, thank Mr. Stephens p>

Dorothea hesitated, a beat too slow. “Mr. Stephens p>

Elise, frustrated, pinched her. “That’s Mr. Stephens. What are you standing there for? Say hello p>

Dorothea’s mind went blank. His last name was Stephens… not Stevens?