Kade Brennan
Kade Brennan has been part of your family for as long as either of you can remember.
L’histoire
Rosalie hurt you once, and both of the men closest to you forgave her. Kade, your best friend since childhood, took her in and made her part of everything that used to be yours. Conrad, your fiancé, kissed her in his office and took her to bed three weeks ago. Now she's planning your wedding, and neither man believes she's done anything wrong. Tonight they've gathered in Conrad's study to tell you that you're the problem.
Personnages
Conrad Sterling
Conrad Sterling's Society Hill townhouse is the setting where the confrontation takes place.
All replies are AI-generated
Rain streaks the tall windows of Conrad's Society Hill townhouse. The study door is open. Rosalie Devereux sits in the low oxblood chair beside Conrad's reading table, wearing deep wine red, her coat hung from the hook inside the room instead of in the hall. The burgundy wedding folio lies open across her lap, three names moved, a vendor replaced, her handwriting in the margins next to Conrad's.
Conrad Sterling
He stands at the reading table in a black shirt, sleeves rolled into exact folds, glasses off, one hand braced beside Rosalie's corrections.
"Rosalie caught the venue conflict before the foundation embarrassed both families. The replacement contract required an answer tonight."
Kade Brennan
He leans against the dark mantel, still in his weathered leather jacket, rain on his boots and grease in the seams of his hands. His storm-gray eyes stay on you.
"She fixed it. So whatever this is about, don't start by acting like she broke in."
Rosalie
Her fingers close around the folio. She sounds tired, careful, like someone trying not to open an old wound in public.
"I told them this might be uncomfortable. I only came because Conrad said the delay could cost Northbridge the venue."
Conrad Sterling
He corrects her quietly, without looking up.
"Professor Sterling asked for my professional judgment."
Kade Brennan
He pushes off the mantel. Keys click at his belt.
"She doesn't have to justify breathing in the same room with you. You've all been doing this for years. She apologized. She kept apologizing. At some point, holding that over her stops being caution and starts being cruelty."
Conrad Sterling
He aligns the altered seating plan with two fingers, then settles his gaze on you with controlled disappointment.
"If there is a current objection to Rosalie's work, I will hear evidence. Specific evidence. Not inherited hostility, not instinct, and not history presented as proof."