's

instinctively as his cold,

nned me to the spot, and m

arting to the floor, but the ten

d for a fleeting moment, I wished I could

? Why didn't I just admir

anticipated an outbur

more dangerous than anyth

ommanding, shattered the silence

s he calling Philip? Is it

his expression neutral, though his eyes betra

," Philip replied

gaze never leaving me, the tens

ten he'd called someone. The silence stret

he storeroom and four pieces of cane,"

plit second before no

t tightened with dread, and my heart poun

arrying a tray filled with broken g

," Philip announced, settin

from where she's standing and leading to the doo

ed briefly but

n pouring the shards of glass o

nacingly under the light, ea

do with the canes?" Philip ask

a moment, then turned h

em and exit

ind reeling. He's joki

expects me to wal

oice trembling. "You don't have an

o a smirk. "Don't ma

ords. The venom in his ton

elve strokes of the cane as she walks across. If

tence. My legs gave out, an

and I realized, to my utter hu

Bryan roared, his face twisti

plain, he crossed the room in a

n, and his fingers dug

filthy house?" he spat. "How da

as I whimpered, "I'm sorry...

n me around and shoved m

hards, a piercing scream tearing from

d feel the shards tearing into my

y wounds, staining

d, his voice cold and detached. "Next ti

my body. The pain was unbearable, an

ake sure no one tends to her wounds. She needs to learn h

lip replied, though his

ression conflicted. "I'm sorry," he murmu

f pain through my body, and I cr

.. It hurts

y room and gently laid

still embedded in my skin, eac

like this," I begged, my vo

with pity, but he shook his head. "

sp and left the room quickly,

nson Chap

he massive mansion, its towering stru

ng my dress as I glance

belongs to your son, Bryan?" Fion

tly. "My private investigator would

edly, her eyes spark

he gate, and two large m

" one of them asked, h

Bryan's mother," the other

e bowed slightly. "My apolog

decorated interior. Every detail screamed opulence, fr

r voice filled with wonder. "I c

wealthier than you can imagine, da

reamy smile spreadi

om where loud music blare

s performance tonight," the guar

stepped out of the room, towel in han

," I gree

chimed in, rushing to

ession darkening. "How did you f