Page 78 of Code of Heart

Her mind spiraled, shame pulling her under like a rip tide she couldn’t escape.

Selene was angry—furious that she had kept this secret. And she couldn’t blame her only friend for such betrayal. Eleanor…what would she have thought if she were still alive to see this spectacle? Would she be ashamed too?

Unbidden, the worst thought of all pushed forward, taking center stage—what will Levi think of me now?

She hadn’t considered that marrying him would entail a public profile. One she was woefully unprepared for.

The backyard spun around her as anxiety took hold. Her airways constricted, forcing her to gulp down air with deep swallows. Her heart pounded against her ribs like it was trying toescape the same way she just escaped the interior of the house, the urge overpowering.

She neededoutand away from their knowing looks, away from the pity, away from the judgment that was crawling across her skin.

Before she could act, strong, familiar arms wrapped around her from behind.

Levi.

His touch was warm, steady, and without a single ounce of hesitation. Gently, he came around to face her, his worried green eyes scanning every inch of tear-streaked skin.

And then he did the one thing she didn’t know she needed…he held her.

Simply held her.

Without demands. Without questions.

He stood there, unmoving, becoming her anchor in the middle of the storm she couldn’t fight off. He held her while she trembled against him, her sobs breaking free, silent, and desperate.

And he didn’t let go.

Not when her tears soaked his shirt.

Not when her knees nearly gave out.

Not even when his own heart broke for her right there in his arms.

Levi simply became her strength when she had none left of her own.

CHAPTER 36

Aurelia

Aurelia shook the nervousness out of her hands and arms before stepping out of her car and walking toward the imposing face of Starhaven Manor.

The heaviness of last night’s events was a persistent burden that pushed down on her heart. Facing Selene was one thing—after her angry texts and unanswered calls Aurelia received—but facing Charles…that was something else entirely.

She wasn’t sure which encounter she dreaded more.

This morning, Levi gently reminded her that evenhehadn’t been prepared for the scrutiny that came with his life—how long it took to build the impenetrable walls that protected him, and how unfair it was to expect her to be ready after a few days. He promised to find out who had leaked their wedding details, and—perhaps more surprisingly—so did his friends.

For the first time in her life, she had a group of people willing to support her.

But that didn’t make today any easier.

Selene had ignored every text, every call since the scandal broke. And now, with the Harvest Charity Ball looming on the horizon and the headlines still circling, Aurelia was preparing for whatever tongue-lashing Charles had in store for her.

The honeymoon is over. Time to face reality, she thought grimly as she slipped through the back entrance, trying to avoid drawing too much attention.

Her posture radiated cool detachment, the way she had seen Eleanor do countless times before; as if the world hadn’t just labeled her a gold-digging, mail-order wife. But every step feltheavier than the last. Her heart pounded painfully against her ribs.

She had to fake it to make…even when all she wanted was to disappear.