both beautiful and suffocating, a symbol of everything she had never wanted but now found herself a part of. It was an unset

ence of a house that felt too large for just one person. She moved to the window, running her fingers along the glass, watc

ut of necessity, but there was something about Xavier's cold, calculating pres

ng thoughts. She quickly retrieved it, hoping for a dist

s it going

what she was feeling-what she was to Kara. The reality of her life ha

. It's..

but the repl

ything stupid. Ca

t good to know that Kara still had her back, despite everything that was happening. But Mia

earance the next day. He hadn't spoken much, leaving her to wander through the grand halls of his mansion, occasionally bumping into staff members who offered polit

Startled, she turned toward the sound, her pulse qui

ed, her voice more

burn hair that cascaded in waves around her shoulders. Her expression wa

her tone warm but calculating. "I

ch twisted.

e her. She was gorgeous-obviously used to getting what she wanted. The way Vivienne looked

on Mia's face. "I've heard a lot about you," she said, a playful glint

y she spoke made it clear that she considered herself far superior

old you so much about me," Mia

smile never faltering. "We still have an understanding, you know. He and

soon. Vivienne's presence was a stark reminder of the kind of world she was steppin

urning softer, though the edge in her voice remained. "After all, you're going to be play

gh it felt brittle. "I'm just her

ng sharp in it now. "That's cute. I'm sure Xavi

ent longer than necessary. "Just remember, darling. You

r chest, the words settling l

er voice suddenly fierce. "I'm just trying to g

the briefest flash of something like uncertainty in

id, her voice almost too sweet. "Yo

heel and left the room, the d

d just tested her or if she was genuinely trying to intimidate her. But either way, one thing was clear: V

dea what tomorrow's appearance would bring, but one thing was certain: she couldn't afford to make an

ief moments she'd shared with him replayed in her mind-his coldness, yes, but also something else. So

th ahead was unclear, but for the first time since entering Xavier's world, Mi

it or not, this