persistent stare. She could feel his eyes on her, sharp and invasive, bu

slicing through the silence. "Aaron, do you have somet

tension amused him. "Relax, brother. I'm just admir

mediately. Instead, he turned to Chloe. "Eat," he

small bite, though her a

ng words. "This is already getting interesting. How long b

arply, his voice carrying the authority of

say another word, her e

occasional clink of cutlery against plates. Chloe kept her focu

o disperse. Chloe stood, unsure of where to go

simply, his tone leavi

ough the vast mansion, past ornate halls and countless closed doors. Finally,

a large mahogany desk in the center. Nicholas cl

hat this family isn't normal," he

ded, her

asons: to pay off your family's debt and to play the role of my wife. That's it. Don't

ing a chill down her spine. "Why are you

what happens when someone in this family gets

, and Chloe realized just how d

e asked, his piercing

she whi

door. "Stay in your lane, Chloe. T

e in the cold, silent study. She sank

cult, but now she understood-it wasn't just difficult. It w

own the hallway, trying to remember which way led back to her the dinning ,but

ar. But the further she walked, the more confusing it became. Every hallway

d of footsteps. Looking ahead, she saw Daniel and Daniella walking toward he

loser to the children. "Hi," she s

ssion making it clear he didn't want to be approached. Chloe bent down slightly,

Don't touch my brother, and we don't want another mommy. Just go away." Without waiting for a response, Daniel

ying Chloe. After a moment, Nora spoke

oftening at the child's innocence. "Thank you

replied wi

too," Chloe said

rm and pulled her away from Chloe. "Stay away from my daughter," Verona snapped, her voice dripping

t stop the tears that welled up in her eyes. Her heart ached, not

she heard a voice behi

nding there. His calm demeanor and gentle tone were a