bel'

g mirror. I lost my balance, my body tilting dangerously. Before I could fa

e even slap me in return for what I had done. But in

ng moment, I thought I saw something there-worry, maybe even

ay. He didn't fight back. He simply s

f you want to fight me, you'll need yo

e turned and

er everything, he was worri

mirror and stared at my reflectio

ht lingered in my mind as I tried to

They approached me carefully, as if afraid I might lash out. Before I could prot

Black," one of them said hesitant

e title made m

in their eyes. Did he threaten them? Was their j

looked relieved as they quickly left th

ment, trying to process everything. Why is h

body. I scrubbed myself as if I could wash away the nightmare that had be

The maids were still waiting in the room, and they had prepa

urious items on the table, feelin

me to the dressing mirror. "Let us help y

. By the time they were done, I barely recognized myself. The girl in

nt. Almost like she b

lack," one of them

. We will escort you t

yself for whatever was coming ne

ught refused to leave my mind-what d

the marble floor. The entire house felt too big, too luxurious-so dif

mach tightened. I wasn't hungry, but

ere he was-Asher Black-sitting at the head of the table, his presence commanding. His sharp eyes lifted

me, and I hesitated before finally sit

r remarked, his deep vo

n't r

mply, picking up

nexistent. After a long moment, I picked up my fork

setting his glass down. "If you're going to

s nothing more than a contract to him, a deal forced upon

I said quietly, my voice sh

t," he replied, as if t

s, my heart pounding.

darkened, but I re

sked, leaning forward slightly. "You think

fingers curling into

ely able to get the words out. "And no

eadable. "I don't expect you to accept i

nt a chill d

through the silent dining room. My chest tightened with frust

uttered, standi

commanded, hi

he table and took a sip, hoping it would cool the fire burning inside me. But it d

, I gripped the glass tighter-

d onto the table. The maids gasped, but before

eding hand. His touch was gentle, but his gr

't stop them from falling. "Yes," I choked out.

n't you understand that I

onfusion flickering i

are you saving me?

k. "I had to do this because of the media, because of the world out

rocess his words. Was he tru

. Without another word, he carefully took my injured hand and started cleaning the wound.

ht," he said after a moment, his voice soft

hard, watchi

omething I couldn't quite decipher-regret? Guilt?

t he did. But for the first time, I saw something in his eyes-some

he slowly looked up, hi

e said quietly. "I don't expect it now

ld wipe them away, he did it for me. His fing

e you cry," he murm

caught in

e. No one had ever wiped my tears before. No one

r Black, the man I hated

was this just