ina'

ri

topped, the earth had tilted off its axis, and e

my ribs like a trapped

vince myself that what I was seeing

st my mind playing tricks on me.

and standing before us as if he ha

to speak. I opened my mou

utched the edge of the ne

lace for ages until Angus's littl

, his joy uncontainable as

e didn't understand what was happening, t

sessively, his dark glare directed at t

to mine, a gaze that brought back a fl

to speak, but before he could utter a word,

low and sharp, yanking me out

nse, he dragged me toward th

croak, twisting to

opped him, placing a firm hand on his shoulder

he car sped off into the nig

re world had come crashing down in mer

e was supposed to be dead. For over t

there like he hadn't vanished

re why I was crying-grief, confusion, anger? Thousands

man in my presence," Darius growled, his cold

e, his voice still had

hard, unsure whether my unease stemme

narrowing, before barking an order to th

ury in Oakville, was a place I ha

would dare not ask. If there was anything

ed at the famous fi

eriors were a reminder of Darius's worl

ors, and quiet sophistication greeted us as a hostess led us to a

extravagant spread of dishes, every

asted meats and delicate pastrie

to Adrian-his face, his voice

d to be dead. Or a

since the plane crash

ights, of hollow tears for the man I'

hat he was still alive

this time, why hadn't he come for me? Had he f

's voice cut through my spiral

from the window. His hazel eyes b

for an excuse, but my mind w

im," he said flatly, his

m n

dangerous, sent a chill down my spine. "I saw

truth would only escalate his anger, bu

d, my eyes fixed on

ou expect me to believe that? You w

't res

he ordered, his tone curt. "You're carrying my chi

elt heat rise to my cheeks, a cold sweat gathering

shoveling it down my throat in a quick s

apped. "I didn't ask y

swallowi

remember what happened that night, but it's clear something di

ing bell. My throat tightened, and I hastily reached

thing was wrong. It wasn't water-it was thick, slightly

arpened with alarm, his chair scrap

as dizziness crashed over me. The room bl

oice sounded distant, muffled, as though he

ss claimed me was his face, etched wit