Evelyn stood frozen in the dusty center of her father’s private library. The crushing realization hit her mind like a wave of freezing water. Her evil stepmother Nora had pawned off her father’s heavy antique mahogany desk and the precious silver pen inside it just to cover her dirty gambling debts.

Julian felt the sudden chill radiating from Evelyn’s body. He stepped closer, wrapping his large, warm hand around her trembling fingers and pulling her back against his broad chest.

"We are not giving up, my love," Julian said, his deep voice carrying unshakeable authority that cut straight through the silent room. "Nora sold it to make fast cash. That...