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Adrian landed in Edinburgh on the strength of a single tip — a friend who'd mentioned seeing someone matching Eliana's description at the Ashford Estate on the city's outskirts.
The Ashford family had maintained Edinburgh as their base for as long as anyone could remember. It made sense. He took the first available flight.
He stepped out of the car at the estate gates — and stopped.
The grounds had been used for an event. The caterers were still working, folding linens, dismantling a floral arch at the far end of the lawn. There was confetti on the grass. Champagne flutes. A receiving table with a guest book still open.
A wedding.
He caught a passing attendant by the shoulder.
"Who got married here today?"
The man looked him up and down, apparently deciding that his suit was worth an answer.
"Miss Ashford, sir. The eldest daughter. She's married Sebastian Calloway — the Calloway Group. They've gone to the house."
Adrian's grip loosened.
The attendant moved away. Adrian stood on the gravel drive while a worker carried past a four-foot photograph — the bridal portrait — on its way to the removal van.
The woman in the photograph was Eliana.
Her eyes were calm. Her mouth was curved, slightly. She looked — not exactly happy. Something quieter than happy. Something that looked like relief.