The news shattered every assumption Colton had been clinging to. He froze where he stood.
Panic surged through him so suddenly that his hands began to shake.
'It can't be true. Annie was home just a few days ago.'
'How could the entire estate have been sold in just one week?'
His chest tightened. When he spoke again, his voice was hoarse.
"No. She's still angry, isn't she? Tell her to come out and talk to me. We're about to get married. There's no reason for her to make up a lie like this just because she's upset."
He tried to walk inside.
The butler stepped in front of him. "Mr. Hayes, you can't go in. The house is being renovated."
"Don't touch me!"
Colton shoved him aside and kept walking. He refused to believe Annie had actually left.
"Ava told me Annie was at home. Annie mus
