Never Mistake a Queen for a Lapdog

She waited seven years for a proposal.

What she got was a knife in the back.

Noreen Gilmore loved Seth Harcourt—foolishly.

For seven years, she believed in his slow-burning devotion.

For seven years, she waited.

So she took fate into her own hands. She proposed.

That's when she learned the truth: Seth had a woman he'd loved for years.

A woman he'd destroy his reputation for, even if it meant being the other man.

The world wasn't just unfair. She gave her heart, but only got crumbs in return.

Noreen walked away. No tears. No scene.

The greatest prison had been her own hope.

Everyone thought she'd crawl back—even Seth.

After all, a dog raised for seven years doesn't abandon its master.

But then Seth realized:

He was the dog.

And Noreen?

She'd cut his leash.