LLA '

ir still smelled intoxicating and musky. Memories of last night washed over me. The way he had touch

food; his soft kisses placed on my forehead as we slept through the night had been the most love I had ever r

as gone, nowhere to be found. No glimpse or reminder of him

ed for an awkward morning reaction. I tried to make out his face as I pulled the s

to remember his face; I might never meet him again, given the circumstances; I just had to let go. I put on the clothes that

ather's mansion an hour later, exhaustion s

ng in my nostrils. My father's mansion stood tall in the rich neighborhood like everyone's, but

gone to the bar to ruminate over it but ended up being distracted.

long aristocracy as I made my way to my room at the end of the mansion quietly. My stepmother had requested my

y room; a familiar laugh echoed through the walls, and I wonde

e good child getting good grades who carved their father's attention, whi

walls, the weight of the day pressing against my shoulders and c

university. I did not know why he made me his assistant, probably a way Tina whispered in his ears to pu

ing about it made me feel closer to him rather than the

first-hand what was going on be

out of bed and into the bathroom for a quick shower before my fathe

always found solace in. I flipped through the stac

Whitm

ranged marriage. With Camilla. My breath hitched, so this wa

my eardrums. I curled my face in disgu

it right from her hands. I don't

file as the d

here?" I shuddered, my father's de

was just organizing the files we w

o believe me. "The meeting has been

heels, changing my mind about leaving. I might as well try my luck with

ally,

o

art racing as he didn't spare me a glance. H

marry Shaun

narrowing his eyes

and I both know she lacks the discipline, the intelligence, and the pati

ack on his reclining chai

es

dish behavior; this is strictly business; a

e. I wanted to tell him I would make him, his wife and daughter pay for what they had made me suffer. Instead, the lie slithered freely in my mouth. "Beca

s grandfather. If he chooses you ov

lenched. "An

Camilla walk down t