Point

ng hit by a thunderstorm. They were so dark, so col

etail of my existence. I flinched and quickly lowered my eyes,

mth? How could anyone have eyes that could freeze a person in place?

they held secrets too dangerous for anyone to uncover. I had to shake myself out of my daze. What

see him standing by the window, his back to us. His arms were crossed tightly behind him, and h

ld around his neck and wrists that caught my attention. He wore an abundance of gold, a hea

an? What is he

hts, a voice cut through the room-sharp,

g to the man in front of me? The same man whose cold eyes had almost paralyzed me jus

ce. He bowed his head slightly, his entire demeanor subservient. "S

or

one who had never shown respect to anyone-would refer to as "lord"? Was he a prince? A king? What ki

't anyone just explain things to me? Why was I le

't respond immediately. Instead, he gav

g at me, walked toward the door. I wanted to follow him, wanted to grab him a

going?" His voice was low, but

ing to me? I stared at him, trying to make sense of the situ

you!" His words came out with

s didn't just stop me-they rattled me. I couldn't

I looked at my father, hoping he would provide an answer. But he

ning? Why didn'

ight of his gaze like a physical force pressing down on me. "Didn't you tell her she now

haven't, Lord. There wasn't eno

time? What w

what I was hearing

I felt my legs shake. Was thi

r's eyes, there was no trace of

hat does he mean by I belong to him? What does that even me

ears weren't deceiving you. You now belong to Lord Bryan, and you don'

stood there, frozen, unable to move. This wasn't real. This coul

to take me back, to say it was all a mistake. But my b

y direction, my father turne

the cold, with the stranger w

n know what t

my body paralyzed. I didn't know w

e. It was like a storm approaching, and

esponse. I spun around, instinctively, and before I could

eyes stared at me, full of fury and something darker. I flin

nson Cha

ted for Mr. David to arrive. The tension in the air was thick, and I could f

od up with a bright smile, trying to

d," I greeted, shak

replied with a polite smile,

r? Anything to drink?" I asked

on. I'm fine. Let's

inking. I knew this w

it in front of me. I could feel the weight of the pap

I whispered, my

e won't inherit the CHAP'S com

t, Mrs. Johnson. If Bryan doesn't marr

anger. How dare my husband make s

let this happen!" I gritted my

ing. "I don't want that either, Mrs. Johns

ulling out a wad of cash

iate your help," I said, shaking his hand befor

yan, but the line wouldn't connect. Frust