Julia stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the strap of the deep emerald gown she’d chosen for the evening.

She didn’t know why she’d put in the effort to dress nicely—maybe it was a way to face Amelia on her own terms, showing her sister that she wasn’t as broken or vulnerable as Amelia might hope.

She gave herself a final look, but Caspian’s last words echoed in her mind, clouding her reflection with doubt.

“If you leave this office, Julia... I won’t come running to you when she shows you her true colors.”

The memory of his voice lingered, a warning wrapped in fear. He had been so...