page15 (1/2)

Perla wiped her own eyes, acutely conscious that she wasup the make-up she’d carefully applied to hide the shadows under her eyes

‘Thank you’

‘No need to thank me I’ve helped myself to a shot too This is the third funeral Sakis and I have attended in the last month My eracefully crossed her legs and offered a kind s, of course, and if there’s anything we can do, please don’t hesitate to ask’

‘Ithank you And please extend my thanks to your fiancé andand the other Mr Pantelides for taking the time to come’ Perla’s voice drifted off, siht when her hts of Arion Pantelides and the accusations he’d thrown at her And even though she’d seen hi the room, almost afraid to find out if he’d returned to tear a few more strips off her

‘Arion has left but I’ll let hilance at her showed a sharp intellect that ainst hope that the other wo up with the perfect answer

As it was, Perla felt as if she had the dreaded letter A branded on her forehead

‘Of course I appreciate that he an had done, they were the last people she’d expected to attend his funeral Instead, she took a hasty sip of the brandy for much needed fortitude, and nearly choked when liquid fire burned down her throat

‘Well, he is But he volunteered to coht Sakis couldn’t make it And yet he see To be honest, it’s the first time I’ve seen him that ruffled’ The speculation in her voice made Perla wish she’d worn her hair down to hide the colour rising in her face ‘It was quite a sight to behold’

‘Um, wellwhatever it is, I hope he resolves it soon’

‘Hmm, so do I—’

‘Brianna’ Sakis Pantelides chose that moment to approach theht to find the appropriate response despite the nerves tearing through her stomach

Then she watched as he turned to his fiancée, his face transfor with a very visible devotion that made Perla’s heart lurch with jealousy and pain

She’d long ago harboured hopes that someone would look at her like that She’d foolishly believed that soan Instead, he’d married her and blackmailed her into deceit and humiliation