Compulsor

na

gates creaked open. At the summit of a hill, the house-or rather, the expansive mansion

hed her face against the window.

d, holding on to t

ional in light of his developing custody case if I didn't cooperate. He had maintained that it was just a weekend an

n for wanting us to stay? Whe

aid coolly. "She is entitle

power struggle masquerading as an invitation as

the front door, his towering form radiating

his eyes moving over me

Blackwood! Lily w

ard him, correcting him, "Just Adrian." "Lily,

lowed. "Wh

out his hand, say

accept it without question. It

before guiding us into the h

e outside. The large windows and high ceilings created an opulent but unwelc

e ran over to where a huge teddy b

"That's for you,

firm embrace and shrieked. "I'

ion of uneasiness and an inexplicable feeling. Adrian treated

wed Lily the garden, which was now covered in snow, and the libr

te snow angels, he said

the stakes," I shot

direction. "And you

drian, you've always been all about co

d, but he rem

wing warmly from the elaborate chandelier. Ignorant of

ed, she happily requeste

For you, I had a chocolate

a gasp. "You

ed, "Yes, I do." "Perhaps

nteracted with Lily as she laughed. He wasn't the alo

ok?" With a sharper-tha

too frequently. However, I

"Impressive," an

to the undercurrents. "Mom's pancakes ar

mine as he replied

the moment seemed to drag o

est room Adrian had set up for her, furnished w

d drowsily, "Do

e question. "Why

es already closi

planted a kiss on her fore

s I walked into the hallway

one, he said, "W

sked in a

to the study

an had ever read, the study was just as intimidating as the rest of the h

ossed my arms and

. "You've resisted my involvement in

Are you serious? Of all people,

changed since we

. "But I don't trust

u fear I'll harm her? that

ty is key. Lily doesn't need your whole universe, including the press,

ive that?" His tone was dang

eve your life i

his face inscrutable. Then his

s my daughter, Elena." Additionally, I'll be a par

oken before I could reply by

ur feet and ran in the

he living room, her face white,

g down her cheeks, "I-I'm s

ly, speaking softly. "Don't

d and shoo

d, wiping a tear from her

rld, Adrian calmed her as he picked her up an

rian at that moment-a guy who was not just re

was

erything was changing and that Adrian's presence was cau

I couldn't help but think: What if Adrian

rst thing I could