man she once trusted. He had rushed to shield Xenia without a second thought when it mattered mos

r side before a soft, almost moc

er liked her. And I'm the one who g

s, the tension in his expression sharpening

d Kaelyn's eyes as she reached fo

r soft waves spilling over her shoulders as they framed her composed, almost indifferent face-an effortless, dangerous kind of char

a, and ever since he brought her back into the fami

nto line, orbiting around her

smoothly stepped forward, slipping herself betwe

, Dr. Hudson wouldn't have been held up and delayed g

eness, as though she'd rehearsed

r Kaelyn's irritation burned, that delicate act o

n said with a cold, mocking curl of her lips. "Since the c

ropped, sharp with warning

ough the faint resentment in her eyes was impossible to miss. "I used to

that way, Andrew had

on softening at once. "Get some rest tonight. I'll go with you to pick up groceri

's fingers slowly tightened, a dul

ally knew h

s surpr

hen the sound of activity in the kitchen drew

noisy market, then return home to tie on an apron and move about the kitchen with

re of her with careful attention, yet his obsession with clea

The truth was far simpler-and far colde

glow of the kitchen, her gaze lingering as con

frame, a bright, almost sugary smile spreading across her face. "Go wash your han

the faint curl of steam rising around him. When he turned slight

he pan, he said, "Can you h

ight

d the cabinet and reached up for i

e warmth fading almost instantly. His tone cooled as he said

h, she moved forward in slow, measured steps, d

a mess, and she hadn't dragged

hose two heading out for breakfast, picking up grocer

hey looked exactly

n forced every bitter, t

dish, while Xenia carried it to the table an

lace, then looked at Kaelyn with eager eyes.

oice came from behind her. "It's been a whole night. I

ght past Kaelyn and sat

moved between him and Kaelyn, her voice dropping to a

's lips as she replied coldly, "If yo

ell silent, lifting her fork wit

all over the place, some sharp, some bland, and the

, her expression composed, as soft conv

you're incredible. I only mentioned a couple of things I like, and you actually learned to cook them. Kaelyn's

es as he looked at her, h

he murmured, "He'll

ng as she rose to her feet, a brittle laugh slipping past her lips. "Xenia, spare me the fake congratulations.

her side, her eyes flickering with som

reatening to betray her, but she swallowed it down,

ossible-like I'd asked for the world. So what changed? Di

y down her cheeks. "Please don't blame Dr. Hudson. This

"Of course it's your fault. If not for you, how wou

e couldn't escape-Andrew had only d

surfaced, a bitter sickne

lowed the rising disgust, no long

d her chair back and turned awa

up and caught her arm, fingers tightening as her voice broke. "Kaelyn... is it really... no

unwavering stare. "Yeah. Whatever you try, it just gets under my skin. Your who

raight through Xenia, le

her lashes lowering to hide the flicker of

ps as she tilted her chin. "You're st

frantically, her voice trembling. "My mom and I had nothing to do with

nds curled

Of all things, she dare

s, a violent pulse building until it fel

nding Xenia stumbling sideways until she crashe

Andrew's eyes as they narrow