HAYE
or-Brenda and Rick, their laughter gr
number stared back at me. My thumb hov
osing myself completely. I would be a ves
ie. And I would be handed over to th
s no rea
crying for the girl I used to be-the one who still
dening into something sharp and
red on the first r
ice a dry, trembling whisper.
remain where you are. We will be
to the floor, all the st
yself to sav
in them, my shoulders trembling slightly. But
nly an empty, clear
ad, staring at the pa
through to the end. Gilded cage or hell
believed in fairy tales-she
the mirror, tucking my hair behind my ears. The girl in t
again. I listened, and the faintest
t. You won't be l
rash of furniture, Brenda's shriek of outrage, and Rick's furi
Hayes," Mr. Reynolds's calm v
in black suits. They had cornered Rick and my
me, trying to lunge forward. Two bodyguards
t me with pure hatred, th
owed Mr. Reynolds, walking pa
eather and silent interior feeling like another world. The car glided to
office. It was a vast, minimalist space, one entire
erfectly tailored black suit, his posture radiating an aura of absolu
eyes pinned me in place.
gether, unable to meet
w on, she will receive the best care until she
ost buckled my knees washed over
ssed the room, his tall frame eclipsing t
rcing me to look up at him. "You will be my Mate.
oice devoid of any emotion. Thi
es and nodded.
to Mr. Reynolds. "Arrange the Mati
flock of birds. They washed my hair, painted my face, and dressed me in a si
nctuary, an ancient, solemn chamber carved
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