a's

the world yo

elievably, trying to

ing like mine. Rael didn't blink, he just looked at me as

n it

she was used to obeying, and pointed the remote

ired actors and scripted this moment, it looked like some twisted test. But then I saw it.

Heiress pronounced dead af

like she'd lost his soul. Her head was buried in his chest, his arms wrapped around her like she was his world. Mara

corner of my eyes, my breath caught, and I could

y has opted for a closed-casket ceremony. Her husband, Ethan Monroe, has stepped in as acting CEO of Monroe Holdings,

o real. I'm still here, I'm not dead." I whispered. I c

"She was my best friend. She had such

ut pain stabbed through my

No one moved; it was as if

!" The maid jumped and s

shaking as my hands were co

Real stepped closer, hi

old

choked. "I need to go

he cut in, v

. My legs didn't move. My b

anywhere tha

ly said, "You leave, you di

the right to

ghts," he said.

just keep

lied. "I'm protecting you. Yo

terly. "You'r

No. I just live in a wor

when he added, quieter t

ne and walks around in shadows?" Rael didn't answer immediately; instead, he walked to

t ruled by men in suits. It's ru

d. "You're

ing back to face me. "You crossed my land.

't ask

er. "And yet...

like forever. I hated him because there was s

this time. "Why didn'

ying me like a puzzle that

y out of graves," he said simply. "

re

now what t

d that it

swers," I

l get

he

rong enough to

he tubes. The bandages. The we

most against my own

n't kind or comfort

d. "And soon... nei

. "I don't care what you are.

amused, but not soft. Nothi

trembling. "I'l

weight, but it was his voice that made my

urmured. "To the man who trie

Rael grabbed my chin, his fingers were rough but gentle

pered, "you can

to look away, but it was as

My mouth parted, but

each word sharper tha

ed me as if letting go was an act of mercy, and

ing dead was hell... You