bore the damp imp

ng every second. Less than an hour had passed since the incident, but his mind remained glued to that a

're hid

betrayed him before his footsteps could be heard. He always spoke as if

e doorframe and crossed his arms. He

ocking half-smile. "Persian rug, wet feet

she hadn't expected the comment. She expected

urt just

replied, her voice calmer than s

example: entering like any decent employee. Through the backyard, without any fu

that call. Not after learning that her father-her father, who barely had two shirts left without holes

plain anything to y

a step closer. Not aggressive, bu

my house, treading on my floor, with you

in a whisper. And then, more f

blow, he knew. But he would neve

said, smiling disdai

he dining room. For someone who ha

le

is stomach tighten. It was

step closer. S

ere," he said in a

ready t

floor between them. In front of me. Speaking to me

else there, beating deeper: a strange, tense heat, she didn't know if it was de

front

him. Firm. Dir

not a

wasn't the typical pleading look. It wasn't submission. It was as

ould have it,

d step down from

show. There was something about that girl. Something about the way she didn't b

tracte

at infuriated

ort the urge to grab her arm, push her against the w

way," he said, his cold tone returning, "

othing. Her eyes, dark and lar

hing more. The very thin

but before crossing the

ace. You look li

m without waiti

first time all

of hap

just seen somethin

s calm as h

lone, but he

in her chest. She could still smell his cologne. Tha

his voice. Hi

like a ch

ye

eft unco

. She didn't know what e

ic room and refilled the bucket with soap and water. The wo

learned to harden since she

hat Luci

hat he d

way he lo

g moment, she was no

a th

hrew his shirt to the f

lung it open. The cool evenin

ad left a metallic

servant had crossed a lin

at him with fe

she could see inside h

r on his face. He lea

id he

just an

anoth

mouth. Th

att

eth. Maybe he needed t

may

eded to se