FIVE – F

e floors, chandeliers dripping with crystals, and hallways so long they

me a printed list of expectations, and made it clear this arrangement wasn't going to b

e doctors were attentive, the room warm and comfortable. Gran looked more like herself each day. Every time I visited, she squeezed m

though, was a test

his quiet intensity. He'd nod at me occasionally, maybe offer a curt, "Good morning," but beyond

Clarisse-the

the moment I moved in, she made it her mission to remind me I didn't belong. She never said anything outrigh

ing was t

't used to having someone do that for me, and I felt awkward just sitting

. "Did you want to eat with Mr. Kenneth t

le. "He left e

settings anyway. "Pity. You'd think a new wife

my jaw. "

yet, he still has time to ask for his coffee in bed

up. "Exc

r. "Nothing. En

slammed the door and let the mask fall. Every day in this house felt like walking on broken glass.

r Gran. That was

at's what I kep

-

envelope on my vanity.

ng. Just a thin white

slowly, my h

as a pho

spital. Holdi

anot

hen. Reaching f

. At the courthouse the d

t the chilling realization tha

the photos to my chest. Wa

l and knocked on L

ves rolled up, tie loosened. His eyes imm

"These were left in my ro

pping through them sile

sse?"

worse." His tone

or

first time, I saw something f

ow on, you don't go anyw

hed. "Lucas, w

thing you need to worry

irst time since signing that contract, I rea

ething far m

inued in Ch

-

SIX – FL

like an omen. It mirrored the tension swirling in my chest. The envelope, now hidden under the loose f

comments when I entered the kitchen. Didn't even look at me. Just kep

t the scent of his cologne and a silence that s

smiled when they saw me. Her condition had improved drastically

said softly, brushing

m o

t's the city. I

an who barely spoke to me. Or that someone was watching my every mo

mised to bring her favorite books next time.

m change you,"

eant-but I knew exactly

-

ning, Lucas fi

s hair slightly out of place. It was the

epping into his study with

from his desk

crossed tightly. "Do you kno

nswering. "I have peo

not what

ility someone wants to use you against me. Business riv

an cold. "

ything if you take over

of that. It mad

I know if I

r not knowin

me out. You brought me into this, re

e, his height towering over mi

me to protec

dded once. "Fine. I'll arran

e people w

aid something stupid. Like how for a

-

o bed, I heard Clarisse's vo

esn't belong here. You k

t to the door, heart pounding

o someone. But no

ca

I couldn't hear.

fter everything we've built. You

fe," Lucas s

ed into a bitter whisp

I closed the door before they

y did it sound like he wasn't

nued in Chap