n before. Arthur Blackwood wanted me to stay, bu

ayed in my head. "I'm giving you twenty

Adonis Blackwood truly wanted thi

ng left. He could have forced the agreement

sion was mine. If anything, it made me

rance. Daniel came around to open my

without looking at him. The sounds from peop

Nurses pushed carts from one ward to anothe

I stopped outside the glass doors and glanced t

steady rhythm filling the room. A d

s Ha

he doctor glanced through the g

ion is stil

llowe

e's stabl

ctor n

r n

offered very l

ng we can." I looked

very

tment keeping him alive. None of it

ing himself. I remained where I was. For a long time, I s

for too long. "You should've told

o one of the chairs outside the ward. I clo

e to go to. Ever

way now...Dad

ce." The words tasted like defeat. But it was only a

ers. Then I stood up and walked outside before I could change my

moment before speaking. "Y

question. "T

rear door. The journey to Blackwood

here and the guards saluted th

ed strangely quiet. Daniel stopped

s. Harper opened it from inside. Her gen

back, M

honed on her face. Almost as if s

nk y

s inside. Arthur Blackwood wa

lly with the h

de

mly. "I'm glad

ed a po

am

felt s

ed my face for a brief moment. Then he seemed to

etly. "I'm sorry it

A voice spoke from somewhere

d to announc

way, his mask on as expected. His g

alking towards us. "Didn't e

d my fist

ecided to marry a monster?" There was th

roll my eyes. "I though

nued staring. Finally he nodd

docum

briefcase and placed the mar

een prepared. Daniel turned the final page toward

d around the pen. My bones felt stiff

ure would change t

ad told me before agreeing to this,

it was

ad barely dried before I pla

. He signed beneath my name in one clean s

mplete. Just like t

and quietly excused himself, le

e silver mask. The room fell unusually quiet. Arthur Blackwood lowered his gaze, saying nothing, while I waited fo

him withou

rules that you mu