k. K

her attention from the task at hand. Gisel

feet, she walked over

he met the butler from earlier-the one

, Monsieur?" Her to

stress has asked me to inform you that the Morgans have

l. Tha

se the door when the

be on your best behavior tonight.

w, he turned on

doorway for a moment,

s remained vo

open near the brown wooden wardrobe. Lowering to her knees, she too

nished her task a

torm. But years of mastering the art of emotional detachme

r gaze briefly sweeping over its intricate beauty.

felt n

autiful, but she lacke

na's room, she veered left. That was

understand his habits. His p

the only person she was r

. A true friend, despite her un

he liked being close to his sister, but not too cl

slightly ajar. Inside, she saw him

tation, "Why don't you ever

en turned. His dark eyes-so mu

as no surpr

"Winters, why don't you ever learn to knock before barg

s door open. So it's a habit now."

ed haphazardly near the bed. The furniture, curtai

his space. He never let people touch hi

her head slightly. Her face rem

his room?" she aske

athroom, disappearing briefly befo

y," he mused. "Always needing

fraction. Her mask slippe

n no

ing sharply, he took a small step closer,

ead creased with quiet conflict. "But it's been

s sharp, cutting throug

"Why do you keep running away?" His voi

," she repeated, but calmer this time.

here." His gaze never left hers. "Just talk t

me, she l

her real name wh

eath escap

a. Coming here." Her voice

art with

htly at the firm

ng. The police know everything. What more do you wan

urther. "I want to know

ent a jolt

of yourself. Why you st

agic ac

was shar

dent that change

words filled the s

eady, her chest rising

e alone." Her voice cracked. "It

thered but d

ld not

said n

looked speechless. Ma

reath, forcing he

again, her vo

ut Anna's engagement. To

tched, sweaty a

now isn't th

his response, she tu

here, running

from her