40
Audrey POV
I woke up in complete chaos, my head pounding like a jackhammer.
The first thing I discovered upon opening my eyes was that I’d somehow ended up sleeping at the wrong end of the bed, my head on the footboard and my legs tangled in the sheets.
“Oh God… I groaned, feeling like my mouth was stuffed with cotton.
1 spotted a glass of water on the nightstand and reached for it desperately, downing it in one gulp.
The water sliding down my throat felt like salvation.
I grabbed my phone and saw over a dozen missed calls from Finley.
Rubbing my temples, I called him back.
“Audrey! Thank God you finally picked up!” Finley’s voice was frantic with worry. “Are you okay? I’ve been worried sick all night!”
“I… I think I’m still breathing,” I mumbled, my voice hoarse and unrecognizable. “What happened?”
“That bastard Thornton took you away! I tried to stop him, but he… Jesus, Audrey, he looked like he wanted to murder someone.” Finley spoke rapidly. “I’m
so sorry I couldn’t protect you.”
As Finley spoke, fragments of last night began flooding back.
The restaurant… the alcohol… Caspar appeared outside the restroom… then the conversation in the car…
Oh, shit.
I bolted upright, looking around and recognizing this as a guest room in Thornton Manor.
I looked down to find myself wearing only an oversized white dress shirt–clearly not my own.
‘I think I… mentioned what happened that night in London,” my voice was barely a whisper as dread washed over me like a tsunami.
‘What did you-”
Just then, a calm and familiar voice came from the doorway: “Sleep well, Ms. Lane?”
I nearly jumped out of my skin, dropping my phone onto the bed. I instinctively hung up and turned toward the voice.
Caspar Thornton stood in the doorway, impeccably dressed in a suit, watching me with an unreadable expression.
Morning light streamed in from the window behind him, casting him in a cold golden glow.
But it didn’t make him look like an angel–more like a demon coming to collect a debt.
1/3
3:19 pm P PM M
Chapter 40
‘Ms. Lane, I believe we need to discuss last night’s events. His voice was terrifyingly calm.
I nervously backed away, eventually burrowing under the covers with only my eyes peeking out.
This was hands down the most mortifying moment of my entire life.
Seeing my pathetic display, a ghost of a smile flickered across Caspar’s lips before vanishing.
“You were quite bold last night. Why are you hiding like a scared rabbit now? His tone was clearly mocking.
Last night you were rather… audacious, Caspar continued, his sharp gaze scrutinizing me. “Particularly regarding our night in London.”
My blood practically froze. Dear God, I actually said it.
“Mr. Thornton,” I managed to find my voice, “you can’t trust what a drunk person says. I don’t even remember what I said.”
“Is that so?” Caspar’s voice dropped to a dangerously low register, his eyes becoming razor–sharp.
He pulled out his phone from his suit jacket, tapped the screen a few times, then turned it toward me. Since you can’t remember, perhaps this footage will help refresh your memory.”
The screen clearly showed hotel corridor surveillance from London–me standing at a room door, then using a keycard to enter, and leaving hastily the next
morning.
The timestamp showed exactly that ridiculous night.
I felt my heart sink, my stomach twisting into knots.
Suddenly, Caspar’s strange behavior toward me these past weeks made perfect sense–those scrutinizing looks, the sudden coldness, and that explosion at
the café.
“When… when did you find out?” I asked with difficulty, my voice barely audible.
Caspar looked directly at me, his gaze unwavering. “Exactly when you think I did.”
I took a deep breath, deciding to face reality. “Mr. Thornton, please give me a chance to explain.”
He raised an eyebrow slightly, indicating I should continue.
“That night in London, I… I was drunk and went to the wrong room. It was completely my fault.” I met his eyes, though it took enormous courage.
“But I swear, I had no idea you were the CEO of Thornton Group. Becoming Noah’s art tutor was pure coincidence.”
I paused, making sure my next words were crystal clear.
“Mr. Thornton, I have no ulterior motives toward you. I don’t like you, and I’m not after your money. I just want to do my job and help Noah.”
Caspar’s expression was unreadable, subtly shifting.
“Interesting,” he narrowed his eyes, saying softly, “that’s not what you said when you were drunk last night.”
2/3
3:19 pm P PM M
Chapter 40
My heart skipped a beat. What… what exactly did I say?”
He leaned forward, a hint of an ambiguous smile playing at his lips. “You said that night in London… you felt really good.”
I felt my cheeks instantly burst into flames, shame and embarrassment hitting me simultaneously.
Oh God, I actually said that? Alcohol really was the devil!
Seeing my mortified reaction, Caspar seemed to regain some balance, a flash of satisfaction in his eyes.
“Oh, you said much more,” he continued, his voice tinged with amusement. “You also suggested I could ‘sleep it back, so we’d be even.
I immediately buried my entire head under the covers, wishing I could disappear from this world entirely.
Suddenly, a terrifying thought struck me–I looked down at the oversized white shirt I was wearing.
Panic set in, and my body seemed to ache inexplicably.
My throat was parched, my body ached all over, and then there was this shirt that clearly wasn’t mine–all these clues were connecting in my mind, forming a deeply unsettling possibility.
‘Did we… did we…?” I poked my head out from under the covers, my voice trembling as I asked.
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
