rned that Ethan Blackwood could make a room

he didn't even need that. This morning, he on

in his heavy voice that

clock. "Seven mi

o be downstairs at

wasn't aware you had

He picked up h

eakfast table. "You know, nor

al." He remin

ing we agree on." I chuckl

which I totally ignored a

is phone. "Richard." The butle

tler bowed slightl

od has a driver wheneve

choked. "I'm sit

issively as though my

"I don't need a driver, I can dri

. Prisoners don't get the luxur

no words. He stood. "Finish your

ld ruin my morning with five words,

e part of me still couldn't u

an Blackwood, yet he had come looking for me. And he ref

*

he gardens, the library and the dining room I barely

entered the west wing, I never asked the staff ab

e watched me. Not like a husband

thought I wasn't looking. In the library

my bedroom, he would stop outside my door, do nothin

as his footsteps faded. He was a

" I cal

en he turned s

standing outside

mained blan

there."

as avoiding my question a

" I was becom

ing things." Then h

Arrogant bastard!" I

adn't been checking whether I was asleep.

*

ame downstairs. Richard was rushing between rooms, servants were c

appening?

he replied. "Mr. Blackw

I didn't even have the slight

ntly. "You'll unde

eft it at that. An hour later, th

woman dressed in an immaculate cream suit, s

own each other for years. "M

pulled me into a hug. I st

family." She smi

mered, trying to ma

lly and studied my f

I nodde

er eyes definitely weren't. "

about me. Then a young woman entered behind her, sh

at Vanessa. "That's h

. "Elena." She spoke the

eyes. "What? I'

about wha

amien entered, Ethan's stepbrother. He barely acknowledged me at all an

e. We have so much to discus

owed. I was seriously dyi

r was worse, Vanessa as

her?" She asked. "Wh

, I grew up in

questioning, I felt slightly uncomfortab

tle before I repl

sion changed. "H

she said it that made my skin crawl.

?" He stared at

to my mouth. "My fathe

, looking like he

sappeared." I gulped do

ble and Vanessa immedia

roast is." She

ce that Vanessa gave Damien, almost like a warning

able? I wanted to ask that but Ethan's gaze met

downstairs for water and as I passed the

tried to eavesdrop a floorboard creaked ben

oo late. Vanessa had immediately step

d, then she smiled that warm smile that was be

e walked t

n't sleep." I stammered sl

flicked toward the staircase

water." I

ed. "Of

ood night." I quickly

. I reached my room and locked the door then I leaned against it brea

, something far bigger than Ethan's rules, far bigger than his mothe

slept t

e waiting outside his study. He

u doing here

to his cold

ather at the dinner table ma

u mean?" Et

ird and last night I caught her on

changed slightly but I saw it. His eyes

ou hear?" H

r you?" I asked him

He ordered me. "And

ur kid!" I yell

value your peace in this

m. "Is that a

t's advice." He sneere

He stopped, then I continued. "Whatev

and for a moment something

ared into his study an

ood. Ethan wasn't afraid of my questions, he was a