IS

like a statue-frozen i

I had only meant to feel his breath, but my soul nearly leaped out of

far-in all the operations and blood I had ever seen in my life. I didn't know why, but just looking into his eyes and feeling that powerful

m, and his piercing eyes locked on me-so fu

m, especially when his stare felt lik

out my consent?" he snapped

ked, the way his lips pressed

r heir. You can't just die without leaving something that's worth all that you've

they weren't just displeased. Th

argot explained everything to him. Each wo

l, he said nothin

can be loude

some mercy. But he didn't. Those gray storms stayed locked on me u

ith me,

her out of the room. I didn't dare glance back-because

*

oor, she guided me down a long corridor until we arrived at her priv

the air, while a small fire crackled in the he

, gesturing toward the

while she poured tea with precise, ca

Grandma," I sa

ern even, but there was a softness i

. The heat seeped into my cold palms, but it w

and measured. "I've heard quite a lot about you. And I was

ds like that- I hadn't h

," I whispered agai

driver for you, if you wish to continue working at the hospital. Now that

ed at h

hree-year contract? And Alistair-judging by the look on his face

pray he w

woken up, nothing will change

ard. "He look

that some of his painful memories shaped him to become wh

twisted a

tory was known to anyone paying attention. An illegitimate

en though no apology

t know what

most hidden beneath the stern lines of her face. "In fac

*

, I finally returned

s life. So I stayed there for hours, saw his childhood photos, and

the master's bedroom, I s

my ear against the door-trying

ilence. Maybe h

d the knob and

awn. The air was warm, filled with t

ollapsed. He was sitting on the edge of the bed, wear

ead bowed slightl

run-but then, reality hit brut

hed the door open. The hinges

el, sharp as broken g

ment, neither

e the silence, low and f

weren't welcoming either. They'r

out. My throat felt dry, my voice swa

nd covered himself with a quilt-while I sto

ing to make this easy. He's far more scary than the r

y behind me. My hands trembled as I leaned aga

en my pho

r work update. Instead, my screen lit up with

'm comi