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"Why do you always bring her to our gatherings? Have you forgotten your promise to Aliana? You said there'd be no other woman in your life!"

"Can we drop this?" Emmett said irritably. "Athena's just a passing fancy. Aliana still owns my heart. But my grandfather is forcing me to wed Athena and produce an heir, or I'll lose my family's fortune and any chance with Aliana!"

"I have to act like I'm crazy about her every day. It's draining!"

His companion sounded skeptical. "Is that really all? You've been unusually nice to Athena. Watch out; pretending like that might lead to real feelings."

Emmett paused briefly. After a while, he shrugged nonchalantly.

"What other option do I have? She's an orphan, starved for love. Athena's completely infatuated with me. If I show her some kindness now, it'll be simpler to control her when everything unravels later."

Athena stood motionless, her expression hardening, her body trembling as if struck by an icy breeze.