IS

ies ended, my moth

t a parting embrace-just a quick

n she w

what they wanted. Why bo

on the hallway, housekeeper Xia st

instructed me to escort y

al breath before

, Madam,"

ed floors. Glittering overhead were the massive chandeliers I haven't seen before. The whole place screamed of p

f the corridor. Housekeeper Xia pres

ir," he explained as the lift moved. "You'l

pened with

the house-colder, yet no less luxurious. Expen

, library, entertainment room, and the large balcony connected

ur home could probably fit into this one floor alone. My le

s morning. All your personal care needs are in the ensuite. From this day forwa

hard. "Even

gently. "Still, the arrange

ld on

en. "I'll leave this to

y, leaving me standing at the th

ply before st

tones dominated, from the wallpaper to the drapes to the plush sofas. I

ping heir-untouchable, timeless, as though h

that w

lled over his abdomen. The afternoon light spilled across his fa

if he could wake any second and walk into a boardroom. His skin was pale, but not lifeless. His jawline

s, he was unner

t of it all. There were no wires attached to him, no signs of deter

headlines, who commanded boardrooms... who had once, allegedly, been in

a shiver crawli

thinking. But the moment my skin brushed his... A jo

uttering before raci

hat?" I whispe

to the edge of the bed. For a long while,

u," I admitted softly. "Maybe becau

never knew that. I was never supposed to be p

t a bitt

Alistair had been dismissed as the illegitimate heir of the Montgomerys. My sister left for France, chas

omery Group. No one dared doubt him again. And from then on,

fingers toget

"But I hope you do. And... I'm sorry. For what m

went to different universities-she, in her world of prestige; me, in medical school on sc

er got of Alistair wer

one day. The d

o him, say something, anything. But I was timid. And he was Alis

ht I should introduce myself. Since we

escaped me-d

fall of his chest. I had so much on my mind, and one thought was ter

ong sigh for t

, but I hope you wake up soon," I whispered,

tant, yet determined-as I reached ou

d my wrist-followed by a pair of cold

are