E'S

t in a dream. But I know I'm not. I can see t

sold yo

hter. But I know damn well it's true. I was probably nothing more

young child so she could get some money

Cyri

had a crush on him at thirteen. I had worked on a set with him when I was thirt

d hundreds of millions to his name and two Academy

and for once, someone finally realized that the

railer for the rest of the day. After that day, my mom didn't take me to

My very own knight in shining

ome good-for-nothing marrying her so he could have somewhe

ould have known. Only that, at some

il never crossed the line. Only that I hated

ad to ship me off to som

stepfather that didn't sneak into my room in the middle of the

way, I hated that

d, I was disgusted that h

han some silly transaction he could

that my voice would carry through the

t quietly and obey like some well-traine

know my

ew

ground. The chill against my bare skin was sharp, but I didn't mind.

chandeliers above the dining room shed a warm golden glo

aw me. "You're just in time,

ently reached for my fork, picking at the food

kinder to Cyril," she said gently. "H

gh escaped me. "Oh? Yo

then turned stern. "Don't joke a

rk onto my plate before sho

k her head. "No. He's in hi

ng up my mental health. Well, time to make sure

ou going?"

r to him," I

irs in a hurry. My heart was pounding against my ri

door open just a fraction. Stepping inside, I saw Cyril sit

owed the seco

at.

gers, it dropped onto the floor. That was all it took to cut him off mid-sentence. Hi

atched him inhale while

He demanded, voice low. "Put

unbothered by his demand. "Why?" I a

isn't it? No need to hold

scraping of the legs on the floor was the only noise heard in the room. I watched him moving be

around the shirt that I had thrown to the floor. I bl

." He orde

s he said, I just

grip around the s

you might actually tak

ared. "That's n

ted?" I continued, pouri

jabbed my finger at his

n me, r