Chapter 20

• Danielle leaned against the balcony railing just outside her room, arms folded as the late morning sun warmed her skin. Below, the garden stretched in serene silence—rows of pale flowers swaying in the breeze, the world momentarily still.
• Her heart, however, refused to be quiet.
• She could still feel the imprint of Alexander’s words from last night. Still feel the weight of his hand gently resting over hers at breakfast, the way his fingers lingered just a second longer than necessary.