ack to that cicada-filled s

p strands of hair clinging to her temples blende

his dreams every night, leaving h

d touched him, feeling a heat spread through him, and

his expression cold and distant. "Go

d in relief an

on's eyes, hungry and predat

the family gathered there-Grayson's old acquaintances, th

ut it was Grayson who stood out a

antics more than once and braced

ke the lady of the house, was not

se drinks to Grayso

mply, reluctantly stepping into

s thick with opule

the doorway, feeling like prey among a p

r and red lips stood out, exuding an

ng in the soft lighting,

stunned silence, someone

er has certainly grown up. She

ither. His brow furrowed slightly as he swir

family for a few years. Not

ing the weather, coldly severing any connection

gers tightening around the tr

ew exactly how to woun

d to meet

t as if he were looking down on her, stripp

disdainful stares, Cathryn placed the dri

lmost imperceptible narrowing of his eyes followed. His voice

closely, anticipation in their eyes

every inch of her was bein

bled, quickly retreating outsi

hter and cruel c

the beauty, don't you think? A

We don't have any girls t

zation. To Grayson and his group, she was no

r more, swiftly turnin

nowing smile curling at the edges of his lips. "If you're looking for women, th

f your family. Having her drink with us is a step up for her. Nice legs, st

the sound was void of hum

deepened, a flicker of h

d a wine bottle from the table, and bro

kull, red wine mixing with blood as it s

e room, everyone

sitantly stood, their voi

one oddly calm. "Such good wine, and it sti

mmenting on the weather, completely detache

lebrate your return

one by one. His face remained impassive, but the c

tory, not even an ant

h the man, sharp and u

d frozen, unable to lift his gaze

e social circle, Grayson was their pi

blood from his eyes, trembling as he s

e and left the room, his silen

s far more menacing than the v

t, murmuring quietly, "Just go out the ba

n her small room for a w

her eyes locking with Grayson's as he desce

ted to retreat back into her room, but it wa

rse tightly, unsure of whether to move forward or retreat. She hesita

ck, his steps deliberate and measu

his eyes held her in place-cold, distant, a

gaze made her feel

eemed to rewind, carryi

hen Jenna had brought Cathryn into

s sharp and cruel, had pointed at Cathryn, calling her a little en

e stood there, her dress hem clutched tight

t through the chaos, freezi

your etiquette teacher ta

l into a stu

and the moment became etc

man, dressed in crisp white and black, radiating an undeniable air of no

e more of a vision, as if stepping out of a painting-an ethere

oice barely above a whisper. "This is A

hest trembled with anxiety as she fought to steady herself. A

. As he walked toward the door, he added, "From now on, treat this place

ed in the air, leaving Cathryn froze

ey motorcycle reached her ears from outside

good man, until the day she found herself kneeling before him, d

h hit her-Grayson had ne

power drawn from chaos and cruelty, manipulatin

ad been to believ

is deep eyes fixed on her. "So, you've move