Chapter 25

*Summer's POV**

He moved closer with that predatory grace that seemed to come so naturally to him. Even in my Louboutins, I had to tilt my head back to meet his eyes. The height difference suddenly felt overwhelming, like he was deliberately using it to make me feel small.

"The garden seems to be your preferred escape." His deep voice was surprisingly gentle, though it still carried that underlying intensity that never failed to make my pulse skip.

I turned away, focusing on a particularly perfect white rose. "Sometimes you just need a moment to breathe."

"The party too overwhelming?" There was something in his tone - not quite concern, but a careful attention that made my chest tighten.

"No. I..." I trailed off, unsure how to explain. The evening air carried the scent of roses. "It's nothing."

"Miss Taylor." The way he said my name made me shiver slightly."Honesty is a virtue,remember?"

"You're very observant, Mr. Stark." I meant it to sound sharp, but my voice came out softer than intended. "Too observant." He moved closer, his presence like a physical force at my back. "Earlier, in the ballroom. Your mother seemed.., concerned about your wellbeing." The careful way he said it - like he was laying out pieces of a puzzle -made something in my chest crack. Mother's words from this morning echoed in my head: *"Summer should be grateful anyone wanted to marry her at all."*

"Concerned?" I couldn't help the bitter laugh that escaped. "Is that what we're calling it now?"

His silence was an invitation to continue, but I hesitated. Why was I even considering telling him? Brandon Stark didn't need to hear about my family drama.

"Summer." The use of my first name made my heart skip. When had he moved so close? "It's okay, you can tell me about it."

Maybe it was the gentle command in his voice, or maybe it was just the weight of carrying these words alone, but something in me cracked. "I overheard them. Right here, actually." I gestured vaguely at the garden path. "Mother and Father, discussing how grateful I should be that anyone wanted to marry me at all. How Victoriawas doing me a favor by taking Alexander." The words spilled out like poison, each one burning my throat."Apparently, I'm too stubborn, too common. Nothing like my perfect sister.

Brandon was silent for a long moment, his expression unreadable in the shadow of the garden lights. When he finally spoke, his voice carried an edge that made me shiver. "Is that what you believe?"

"What?" "That you should be grateful?" His tone made it clear what he thought of that idea. "That you're somehow less than your sister?" "I..." The words stuck in my throat. *Did I believe it? After all these years of being compared to Victoria, of never quite measuring up?* "Your silence answers my question." He stepped closer, close enough that I had to tilt my head back to meet his gaze. "You actually believe them."

"Mr.Stark-"

"Let me be clear." His voice dropped lower, intense enough to make my skin prickle. "Your family's opiníons are... severely misinformed. And Alexander?" A slight smile curved his lips, but it held no warmth. "He's a fool who doesn't deserve a second thought."

Behind us, the sounds of the party drifted through the open doors like a bitter reminder of everything I'd lost - and maybe never really had.

"Want to cry?" His deep voice softened, though that underlying intensity remained.

I forced a smile, though it felt more like a grimace. "What's there to cry about? Do I look that pitiful to you, Mr. Stark?"

His dark eyes studied my face with that unsettling intensity I was starting to know too well. The evening light caught the sharp angles of his features,making him look even more dangerous than usual. "Everyone has their own path to walk, Miss Taylor." His voice dropped lower,sending an involuntary shiver down my spine. "Have you considered my proposal?"

"What?" The word came out breathless. "I... you are Alexander's uncle...they said you were supposed to attend their engagement party..." His hand came up to brush a strand of hair from my face, the touch so gentle it made my heart ache. "In fact, I didn't come for them." Those dark eyes held mine with an intensity that made it hard to breathe. "Take your time. I'll wait for your good news, my girl." The possessive note in his voice when he said 'my girl' made something flutter in my stomach. Before I could respond, a servant appeared with practiced discretion.

"Miss Taylor? Your father is asking for you."

"Summer, come here. Your father has something to say." Father's voice carried that particular tone he used when trying to sound paternal.Elizabeth hovered near the door like a perfectly coiffed vulture.

Father gestured to the chair across from him. "Sit. Your mother prepared this tea-this year's finest Darjeeling. Working in Europe for a year couldn't have been easy. Your sister..."

"Father." I too a sip before I cut him off. "If you want to talk about Victoria, don't bother. You know, Alexander and I were together for so long. Did you ever consider my feelings? If you cared about me even a little, this wouldn't have happened."

"Summer," his voice took on that patronizing tone I'd grown to hate."Your sister didn't mean for this to happen, but feelings..."

"Enough!" The word exploded from me. "Fine tea? Mother never thought to give me the best of anything! When it comes to Victoria, Mother never considers my feelings.You too,father."

"How dare you!" Elizabeth's voice cracked through the air like a whip as she burst back into the room. The slap caught me across the face before I could react. "Don't waste words with her! This ungrateful girl needs discipline-she needs to learn her place!"

I pressed my hand to my stinging cheek, bitter laughter bubbling up in my throat. "Discipline? Like you were discussing in the garden?" "You... you heard that?" Something almost like fear flickered across Elizabeth's perfect features.

"Your mother has arranged someone for you," Father said quickly, not meeting my eyes. "The candidate is..."

The room started spinning slightly. *Something's wrong.* My limbs felt heavy, disconnected. "What... what did you do to me?"

Elizabeth's smile turned predatory. "Summer, your father is negotiating an investment. They've promised to invest $200 million in Capital Corp if you marry into their family. You know your father's company is expanding -this money is crucial."

"So you're selling me?" The words came out slurred. *The tea. Of course it was the tea. Last time it was stranger, and this time it's my own family.Fucking unbelievable.*

Elizabeth's laugh was cold and sharp. "You should be grateful the Windsor family even considered you. At least you're worth something."

The world tilted dangerously as I tried to stand. Through the growing haze. I heard Elizabeth's final command: "Get her to the next room. Don't keep Mr. Windsor waiting!"