aid flinched like she'd be

're resting in the garden," the maid

-her temper flared without warning. After the

but kept her tone ca

was low,

ed figure disappeared di

ze over? She actual

ut earlier and got chew

t let her

e anyway. Good thing

she's scar

e lawn with a fluffy white puppy, while Gabriel reclined under the shade,

ilah's biological son-c

lmost all of his care and education. She'd gone from helping out as a

ith eyes could tell-the staff already trea

en to play around in. Gabriel stayed nearby, his

e, though Aiden's delicate fea

k dress. Next to Gabriel, she looked

ce away, Lilah stoo

to speak, caught sight of her an

her shoulders in, voice trembling like she was about to cry. "Are you

, rimmed red. Gabr

imple, but her gaze was razor-sharp, as

it again?" Gabriel's v

midating weight of his prese

inch. "I came t

up, froze mid-play, then crept

erity quickly said, pulling Aiden closer

more uneasy-head down, he

she might scare Aiden more. But

d again..." Verity bit her lip, eyes full of f

nearly

man who hits her own kid-Verity made passive-aggressive an art form.Just

d, then quickly realized-he th

e estate," Gabriel said coldly, not

r face, but a flicker of

ic was about to be

that was wrong, but I won't admit to things I didn't do. I didn't

yes full of rare dete

ore. I just want to live peacefully now.

ing impatience. "If you won't s

to say-every word sounded

e had zero t

bursts, it made sense

g impossibly stubborn.

e, Lilah quietly pinched herself ha

eyebrows twitched sli

e've known each other since we were kids. After everything... you really fee

who was standing silently to the side. H

ct moment, soft and careful. "Don't forget... Li

ushed cheek, her fragile

rol her emotions... but it's

iel's resolve disappeared instant

let himself fall f

ng to slip away from consequences a

e blank. Then, without another word, h

ht, his pace firm.

iet breath. At least he ag

r hand, froze the m

om view, she recovered fast and looke

. Gabriel doesn't love you anymore. Jus

was full

se on Verity's face. She stepped forward, just

isn't swollen enough

's cheek, like she was consi

's expression twisted, voice trembli

nly broke into

e woken up. As long as I'm here, you'll never be more than a shadow. That