when I hid by covering

n. But his posture changed just slightly as

temperature of the room was this cold? What

lose to the bed. My hands were placed on my lap. I didn't know what I was expecting w

e was unreadable. And his unreadab

he door snapped me

g for permission. "Mr. Vale

ed a private study room. Then she stopped, and I did too. The place looked nothing like I expected. There were no family photos

ng the window with one hand in his p

urn when we

s voice low and calm

Mr.

oved out and

Sil

finally

e deliberate and disturbingly calm. He scanned me like I was something e

" he said, as if

I needed no

d for me to the chair acr

ined s

barely. "Defiant alre

here to be ch

"You came because

at him.

he responded al

an answer,"

nt that your father owed a debt. And your name bought him silence. Your face bought him favo

e I'm some ki

u a

lin

gy. No h

ed to this,"

re won't be needed until after the wedding. And I don

landed l

ven meet me

clearer to you," he said and stepped clo

be courted. You're here to be useful. You play

ed from me?" I asked, my vo

ecise. "Obedience. Silence. And the ap

linch. Not

ing inside

hosen anyone,"

arrying you benefits me. And ru

e it

difference

ck. "What did I

d. It's what your family costs mine. This isn't a

akfast with my father tomorrow morning. Wear something unders

dn't

derstand?"

liva remaining in my mout

through this faster if you learn not to

nd me before I could

y. Instead, I wandered the walkway. Nu

ar clearly in my ear: "You

at least it wouldn't hurt much. But now I heard it from his m

m. I was a strategy, a

ven care enough to hate me prop

stone pathway behind the mansion. The wind blew cold on my skin. I welcomed it. Did I even care? After al

terrupted

ldn't wan

covered that it wasn't Lu

wards, shirt collar slightly unbuckled. He leaned agains

s face. "Lucian's cousin". He continued

n't a

re. Some of us just happen to be

a ste

t here to bite. Just curious. You

one?" I as

playing the long game. But you... You've got fire. I can see

ttention to what he had said. B

," he said, voice dropping

on to what he had said. And returned

nd when I opened its door, I found dozens of new dresses n

ore the engagement was announced, and m

sleeveless shirt, wear it and sat at the e

he Vale patri

ingered in the

fered me an esc

who promise

buzzed in

blocked

message and r

l dining room. Do not be late. An