er's

washed away, and even my emotional burden felt less heavy. Bu

was no sound from downstairs.

tchen to grab a glass of wate

urn on the lights; I didn't want to disturb anyone. I knew the house well by now. Yawning, I navigated the dark

ch, my leg bumped into

sitting on

ed back, taking two quick steps away. In the

ying to make my voice s

. I needed that glass of water m

let him not d

with immense force. His hand clamped over my mouth, preventing me from making any noise. That familia

.. mm

ng it a soft glow, but his eyes were s

ve noticed me spacing out because he whispered for m

I should leave or stay. Since he forbade me from talking, I could only ask with my eyes. I had no idea what

co'

knew she was scared; I could feel her pulse racing u

and evasive gaze. Perhaps because she had just had water,

bit by bit, until I could see the fine hairs on her face. But when my gaze fel

ly not from someone in the family. Thinking about the boy who kissed

is grip on her wrist, ignor

ur school thi

ble. She knew what

this passionate

murmur, but to Harper, it sounded

er's

y. Why? What did I do wrong? Becoming part of the Mor

hew was just a student, and Marco was the next mafia leader. I looked at the man bef

ut? Shouldn't I be

stepped back. I thought he was goi

bbed my chin, holding me in place. The calluses on his hand scraped against my jaw, hurting me. My lips were thin, and he r

o, but his words

, but I am the future successor of the Moretti family. There i

s gaze sweeping

ut I hope you won't be too casua

can hate. I despised his inexplicab

, and they haven't put restrictions on me. You don't get to control me. Do you th

't look at his express

do to des

tually, I must have cried myself to sleep because

d my life as usual. I started to think t

came into my room in the morn

d to meet some people. I stared at my mother's face. Even th

The words swirled around my mouth, but

box, and a purple d

d at myself in the mirror, almost unable to recognize my own beauty. The makeup artist painted my lips a bold red, with win

it showed me anoth

eyes full of amazement.

her voice. "Mom, I'm not a k

protected me, I

y dress as I went downstairs. The dress was a bit lon

sitting on the sofa, talking. When

ok stunning tonight."

Mom's taste. Mom's dress is even more beaut

uit you." The annoying voice came again,

lady like that? Harper looks beautiful. You can't b

, but the way he looked at me

ried to keep my distance from him. The stylist ca

ay. You'll feel bett

g puzzled. "Cold?" Still, seeing how fluster