You have the power to clear the f

ipping tightly onto Vincent's sleeve as h

ay, his face void of emotion, cold and detached. "I hav

strode off. Helping her would have

s, her body growing

nd Vincent were the ones caught in that scandalous a

. Without a degree, securing a respectable job would be

o punishment could ever cleanse her of that

ld she d

ing a hand over her mouth as

oot outside. All she could do was wait-dreading the inev

noon, Vincent

lianna go?" Bryanna asked

ow, a little amused. "W

"That's wonderful! I'll

ed toward the entrance, where a pair of neatly p

absentmindedly, "She said she was

coat aside. "I'l

peaking. "Iris is an adult now. The

se, Vincent let out a low chuckle.

"Iris has always been the most well-mannered-she'd n

, in the

re curled beneath the pink blanket. Slipping a hand under the cove

her breath hitching as she fran

loose strands of hair from h

o the side, deliberate

inst her abdomen in slow, deliberate motions. "Th

dered sl

became clear to her. He had

The moment Bryanna cast her out and the university expelled her, she would be left with

led to speak through her sobs. "Please, I'm b

de her, his breath hot and heavy wit

a slight crease formed between his

, shaking

through his voice as his hand continued its

moil. She didn't dare resist.

her clothes with ease. One by one, th

freely. His breath grew heavier, t

r face burning as she

elt like fire, her body betraying

teasing, a sheen of s

een them, the fire of d

ck shattered

? I need to speak with you." Bry

ut Vincent caught her wrist, yanking her back into

d happened, he stood a

lready returned to its usual composure. He turned to

remained of the man who had surrendered

illance footage, but the distance makes it nearly useless. The images are too blurry to make out

raightened his cuff

ghtened. Why di

t day I saw you coming in through the back door. Did you h

t all happe

were entwined so tightly. From afar, they appeared to be nothing more than two people

he back door of the funeral ho

sity, they surrender

rren had approache

r skirt in time, her face stil

eady shifted his focus elsewhere. With his hands tucked into his pockets, he s

umed her moments ago. As if she had

and a jolt of panic shot through her. She quickly shook h

rom a distinguished family, you shouldn't be exp

he weight of guilt settl

to Vincent. "Can we expe

almost effortless. "Fi

What was he implying? Did he inte

she had thrown herself at him. After all, why would Vincent Stewar

eyes threatened

edged with impatience. "I need to know which sha

beauty to manipulat

her in disapproval. "Iris, Vincent is standing right h

he couldn't move-not when she ha

epped forward, pressing a hand to Iris's forehead.

ounded so hard it

a fever. This was

neatly into his pockets. "She's on her period. Have the

ld've told me instead of him. Men aren't sup

d into a smirk. "It'

osure slipping. He

"It's good to see you two getting along. When Elianna

ow but said nothing. Hi

pped the sheets so tightly th

me, let's pick out a few gifts for Elianna. She sho

th only a week before the results were reveale

s call came. "Iris

ter how much she had wished for a different outcome,