hel

eated, staring at Mr.

Young Master Leo specially re

thing like this. We usually ate qui

be there too?" I

s so. But you know how the

ath of relief. "Alrig

-

stunned me the m

tifully prepared table. Warm food, spices

aw me

e laughed, patting

sat. "You set

st proudly. "Yes!

ubtle eye roll. De

ring loudly, "We just need P

smile, secretly h

th

re room

before I even

ed and

like a shadow s

road-sh

shoulders. His dark hair was swept back cleanly, revealing the sharp cut of hi

command attention. His pres

t his watch with a bored, impatient flick of his wrist, as

he, Leo launched him

ap

ression chan

lessly, lifting him high. Leo squealed with laughter, a

he looked human

s eyes

rmth v

d. "I trust Mama Rachel has been attentive," Damien

he drew with me! And t

his hair before heading

Leo returned to my

blue, Leo," Damien said as he served

Leo mumbled, stick

feel Damien's gaze brushing over m

g to you," Dami

ng up. Leo stared

eetheart. I

, Mama," L

nned this dinner. Be attentive.

I expected. My fingers

," Damien

d, carrying a small box.

Leo said

lifted

necklace. The color reminded

"Wear it, and no one will dare touch you. I don't li

face-not from flattery

en added. Not a r

d the necklace. It was cold,

ul, Mama," Leo sa

ftly. "Than

said sharply. "If you do,

side me fina

to me like tha

e air. Silverware paused midair. Eve

frowned

ne to my classes in weeks! My friends think I vanished-look!" I held u

a comfortable life and you think tha

't end because

beside mine," he said coolly. "Behave... or I'

eed to save my father's life," I whi

stood

sh. But the air thickened, he

r tone, Mr

his hand. The tiny clatt

whispered, my

Not even reaching out. But his presence

what happens to p

the room like a blade

confusion twisting into fear. He just stared between us, as i

whisper escap

breathe. Co

ietly, my voice trembling but

rble as I turned and walked out, leaving

ien

annoyance burning l

eo's dinner? Out

ready to follow h

nd tugged

sy, unsure. "Papa... di

face despite the tightness in my ches

n why does Mama loo

hit harder th

my ribs. "It's not like that," I said. "The out

ly, his little arms

"Dinner is over," I said coldly. "And from

es full of deep disappointment-but

y shoulder, tired. "I want friends too..

n my chest-something I didn't

ietly, staring ahead. "A

sighed softly-a lonely so

dy asleep against my shoulder. I laid him gen

ightened something in my ch

ave been a pe

e ruin

ion turning cold. "Walker.

diately stepped fo

tep behind me. My jaw ticked as we walked dow

Her voice. Her defiance. Her audacit

door, I didn't knoc

hed i

h catching as if she knew this wouldn't end calmly

door with a

and

-just firm enough to

blanket. "Damien, I-I'

ta

rd sliced thr

d, slowl

hand extended. "

roze.

s small, but i

ow

ng her head. "It's mine. I ne

rom her before

ched. "Damien,

u walk out of my son's dinner, raise your voice at me, behave

can't just take e

at her, unblin

pocket. Silence filled the

," I said calmly. "You don't step into the hallway. You don't spea

e cracking. "You're

u from making s

th anger and fear.

signed your name beside mine.

flin

al. "If you try anything foolish, I'll assume

uckled. A quiet ga

olan. Outside the door. No

my men said

simply turned and walked out