CHAPTER 23
LILY
After a sleepless night (Baran had kept her up for most of it), Lily woke up at the crack of dawn. Her heart softened as she watched him sleep. She got out of bed and put on her clothes, debating what to do next. Last night had been both one of the lowest and highest points of her life. Being forced to sign over Cinnamon had devastated her. Everything had felt utterly hopeless. And on top of that, Katya’s betrayal had made her feel both fooled and hurt. Maybe she had been too naive. The world could be a nasty place, filled with nasty, ruthless people who would do anything to get ahead.
She searched the floor for her shoes as she pondered this. It felt as if she was at a crossroads. Either she had to let Cinnamon go—and therefore her hopes and dreams—or confront Charles a
