ion-training, fighting, protecting. But standing in the Sinclair mansion, wa

ight, Eleanor hid them beneath long-sleeved gowns and perfectly composed smiles. She played

n saw th

body, in the way she subtly avoided Richard's touch,

an audience, the per

e

lves for their generosity while sipping thousand-dollar champagne. Logan stood at his usual post, keeping watch

r frame, her dark hair swept into an elegant updo. But Lo

pleasantries. Eleanor stayed close, a delicate smile fixed on her lips. It wasn't until an

wi

of discomfort before she quickly masked

ard's eyes. A warning. Eleanor must have seen it too becau

w better. Richard wouldn't make a scene in public. He ne

Afte

her heels clicking softly against the marble floor. Richard followed behind, his us

e hell w

ng at him to intervene. But he staye

t you mean," Elea

hissed. "Do you have a

nce.

ry," she

enched h

ger in his voice chilli

tairs. Richard stood there for a moment, running a han

upstairs. He had no plan, no reason for being there, excep

the night sky. The city lights shimmered in the distance,

tepped onto the balcony. She

omewhere else?" she said softly,

Logan

minated her face, and that's when he saw it. A fresh mark

d instinctively pulled her

ng." His voice

t it was a hollow t

she didn't have to live like this, that she wasn'

d, "If you ever ne

omething unreadable in her eyes. And t

kno

uch. But it

r never ignored