Franklin, seeing who had arrived, hastily departed. "Alright, I'll be going then."
Nathaniel brushed past him, his brow furrowed. "What was he doing here again?"
"Nothing," Elena replied. She didn't understand her father's sudden change in behavior, but the small life growing within her had imposed a sense of calm. To protect herself and her child, she couldn't allow her emotions to fluctuate wildly.
Seeing she was alright, Nathaniel didn't press the issue. He entered the room.
He'd barely stepped inside when the woman behind him spoke. "Mr. Cross, you are currently someone else's fiancé. Isn't it inappropriate to enter my room?"
"I..." A tightness constricted Nathaniel's chest. He had his reasons, difficult ones to explain, for agreeing to the engagement, but ultimately, she was
