ir sockets, and my hands

?" I sp

ady and meet me downstairs in ten minutes," she said and

r my breath and buried my head in

t pants, and I was seconds

ded myself, and slowly fo

thing s

dn't

e formally. Adaline had said so

as to

agged myself into the bathroom, not want

ory, not bothering to use the hot bath I'

dry, and got dressed in

to officially meet th

some reason, my simple lazy dressi

s and crop top, vaguely wonde

t better anyway, so I

ded downstairs, looking around an

her name?

, and whipped my head bac

and placed my palm over my

he side, a hint of concern and something e

ar you coming,"

ting," she smiled curtly, and led the way to

rows and rows of doors, letting me know the house

uff voice from inside asked us

med wealth and luxury, and th

od, stretching towards the ceiling, housing a vast collection of leather-bound classics, rare volumes, and mod

lamps and floor lamps, casting a golden glow on the room. The air was

and behind that desk was none other than my uncle, staring at m

aid, not taking

day, but with an undercurrent of steel that vibrated through

hear the door open and close. The temperature of the room dropped drastically,

re," he

hrough his tone, and one wou

thing in his eyes drew me in, and I found myself

tood up, his long legs eating up the distance bet

t of him in waves, such that i

me," he

t in the deep pool of green ocean that was his eye

are you?"

een," I s

mooth,

d him mutter under his br

a child!"

have her mother'

t it

ver cared about her. About us!" I y

r head now, haven't I?

your mercy," I said

nfuriating as he

e in the streets, and be

d. "Fuc

out of my mouth when h

yours, or you won't like what I'll do to you,"

pplied just a bit more pressure, my jaw would bre

ly wiped my teas with the back of my

ust never come to me unless I categorically send for you. All your meals will be in the dining room. You must not leave t

g. I must ask your p

t know where the defiance came from to challenge this hulk o

growled dangero

se," I f

commanded and ret

m, wondering how rud

eaf," he said in a low

f the study. He was so grumpy and an asshole, and

s, but I couldn't stop my heart f

losed door, and I k