cides, with that serious glint in his e

ired of hiding behind the walls of their house, but either way, my stomach twists at the thought. Rex Patter

e door, his posture tense but controlled. "You okay?" he asks, his voice low, but there's a flicke

of my voice. The thought of being in Victor Patterson's presence again, o

hand brushes against mine as we step out of the house, and I feel the weight of his unspoken wor

n't belong to. The walls of the car feel like they're closing in around me, the air t

saw it, with towering columns and a sprawling yard that screams wealth and power. I ca

ld my head high, but I can't shak

esk, the kind that looks like it was carved from a single piece of dark oak. H

lm, but I can hear the disapproval unde

step closer to Rex, feeling the weight

es never leaving his father.

y, I'm curious." His gaze shifts to me again, and this time, the coldness in his expression is more pronou

er than I'd like to admit. But I don't let it show. I l

t like you said," I say, my voice steady but tinged with a

m sure you do," he says, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "But let's be c

ght, of course. But it stings to hear it out loud. I don't want to be

lute. "I'm aware of that, Victor. Believe me. I'm her

n, even when they haven't said a word. "How convenient for you," he says, his voice dripping

n't have to answer, because the truth is clear enough. The contract is temp

I don't plan on staying any longer than necessary," I say, my voice low but stead

e you that. But don't fool yourself. This is just a transaction. When the business

breathe. I want to yell, to throw something at him, but I know bet

voice barely above a whisper. "And I don't need anyone

a kind laugh. It's the kind of laugh that makes you feel small, insi

a," he says, his voice cold

about fitting in. It's about survival. About getting through

he weight of his gaze on me. His silence i

eart aching. "Let's

of unspoken words. But I don't want to

ing-business. And that

inst me like a heavy weight. But I walk out with my head held high, because if there'

l survi