Unspoken Sin

ilence that stretched over sharp edges - tense, waiting to snap. Veronica stepped int

he

de

ie was gone, replaced by a fitted black T-shirt that clung to his frame a little to

look up

presence, his eyes lifte

g, Ghos

pausing mid

ys move like you're

. "I didn't know a

dded toward the

cautiousl

re. Veronica, on the other hand, still avoided stepping too loud on the til

sleep?"

at him. "N

fingers brushed - just slightly. Bu

ess settled on her tong

the gardener this morning," Ai

short, almost startled. "Tha

t explain

ce. Just observation. L

tching people this

ily. "Only when they try

it again - that quiet pull, invisible but undeniable. He wasn't just charmi

e wanted to ste

ting. "We need to appear united," she said with her usu

about reputation and table manners. Aiden sat beside her, one arm draped across the seat behi

it w

stif

ow and warm near her ear. "Re

oward the front seat. Charlotte was too busy criti

was deliberate. Controlled. It was a silent rebellion neither of t

. Charlotte smiled too much, Raymond drank too fast, and Veronica

suddenly, likely trying to

tte st

wallowed.

ss?" Aiden asked

his gaze

arlotte interjected. "Always has. It's

t enough," Aide

's heart

snapped toward

A little intelligence never hurt anyone. Un

ond chuckled nervously. "Le

damage w

n at her lap. Her h

ood up for her bef

she couldn't

ooks sat untouched on the desk. She paced the narrow space like

a knock at

hest

ned it

de

pants, his hair a mess of curls and chaos. There was s

ay?" he

him. "You shou

the doorframe. "An

allowed. "I

won

e stre

nt, Aiden?" she

uth for half a second befo

hing,"

eath h

ck. "Goodnigh

't sleep

she noticed so

s. Tied with a black ribbon. Her name writte

it inside

er, with a tiny ruby teardrop pendant

was

t invisible. Don't let

me. N

art po

Aiden. Who

y the

a thought entered her mind lik

it was

ing dinner, she w

paused mid-air

get that?" sh

her gaze. "I

om

g. "A teacher. Said I reminded

ed at her for

air scraping back. "Excuse me,"

ed her, then shifte

he said unde

watch

ys watc

whether to be sc

t it?" s

n't,"

knew ab

e was answ

ened her door befo

hesitate

et. It was punishment. It was surrend

n't pul

pulled him closer, let h

re everywhere - her waist, her back, her hair. And when he whispered her n

was

e was

em had any idea w

n watched her like a witness, she r

d and cold, slither

lace wasn't a gif