ed at the imposing man before her. His presence was overwhelming, his gaze piercing--a shade of gray that felt like it could see right throu

harp shard from her trembling

he old man stammered, his voice cracking. "I

hitched. Under

Instead, he pulled a crisp white handkerchief from his pocket and wrapped it arou

tact. "Who... who are you?" she whisp

unreadable. "No one you ne

d down her spine, but before she could react,

no longe

s words sent a wave of t

Mr. Mo

hing that belongs to me?" Grayson

m? What was he saying? She had

ing his head franticall

giving you permi

d later, one of his men grabbed the old man by the collar and dragged him tow

ghtened. This man.

nctively. "What... what are you going

draped it over her shoulders. The heavy fabric swallowed her small f

om

step back. "Where

where

even kn

ercing gaze locking onto hers. "Then

sharply. He

ed. "Walk out of here alone, with

d she go? Felix had sold her. Her mother was in the hospital, in desp

from fear or exhaustion,

ser, his voice calm, de

o idea what she was stepping int

she whispered, "

, something flickered i

of the suite. Aurora followed, each step feeli

_

ve was

t as though it were a lifeline. The scent of it clung to her, foreign yet suf

t to him, the f

only

she finally asked, her vo

on the road, his hand resting lazily on the whe

get there," he said, hi

o the window, watching as the city lights faded into d

g but

ned. "I have a r

re h

nto a secluded road, leading to an est

estate. A

ion loomed in the darkness-- cold, unyielding, its presence both regal and forbidding. The stone walls were illum

jacket tighter. "W

flickered towar

t didn't fe

d her like an uninvited guest. Two men in black suits stood at the entrance, expressionle

isint

ios

a hes

ded, stepping out wit

ng the unease in her stomac

polished, untouched. Yet it lacked warmth. The man

in the surroundings before a

ed. "Bring D

owned. "A

red to her wrist. "It

d she rememb

n't hav

epeat myse

s words left no

emeanor. He worked quickly, disinfecting and wrapping the wound. Au

doctor muttered. "

nodded

ce filled the space between

ht me here, treated my wound. Now

gray eye

ou

breath

on unreadable. Yet the weight of

unworthy," he continued. "

red. "I-I don't

amused smirk tu

u w

is voice sent ice

s grazing the bandage on her wr

ed, his voice deep,

n crashed over her, demanding she run. Bu

far more

t wasn't racing

racing