Chapter 150
“Can you think of any other possible hiding spots she may have had?” I asked.
I didn’t dare to get too hopeful. The more time passed, the more I began to think that the whole thing was purely a myth. Just another one of my father’s cruel remarks to send my mind into a spin.
I heard the regret in her voice. “Sadly, no,” Cheryl said. “But don’t give up hope. Not yet. I’m sure something will surface sooner or later.”
I wanted to believe that. I didn’t want whatever last impactful thing my mother left to be lost forever.
“You’re right. It was good to hear from you. I hope you and everyone else are doing well with all that’s been going on.”
“Oh, don’t you worry about us. Of course, the rest of the ladies miss you. I’ll be sure to check in on you again in a day or two,” she told me. “Now, just focus on getting better.”
A warm sensation flooded through my chest. I really should make it a point to reach out to Cheryl and the other women more often. Each time we spoke, it brought me back to those simpler days when I’d stay up late, talking with my own mother.
The day drew on unbearably slow. But I kept my promise and stayed in bed until the early evening.
Kane came back to the room, having finished with his own work. “How are you feeling?” he asked.
That awful ache I’d been harboring in my chest had gone down tremendously. Now, it was merely a phantom flutter that would occasionally flicker between my ribs.
“Fine, I suppose,” I answered. “Am I free to leave the room, warden?”
Kane pulled a face that dared me to make another joke. “Very funny,” he muttered. “Perhaps next time I’ll be sure to add some bars on the windows and place a metal shackle around your ankle.”
I stifled my laugh while sliding out of bed. “In that case, I’m going to head to the dining hall. I feel bad about worrying everyone.”
“Actually, I’ve arranged for you and I have to have a private dinner in the formal dining room.”
My entire body froze on the spot. Wait, what?
The formal dining room?
Without another word, I got myself ready and followed Kane to the far end of the house. Waiting for us was a fairly large table, but it was only set for two people. My eyes were drawn to the lit candles that set the whole tone of the
room.
It was…Romantic. More so than any other so-called ‘date’ we’d been on. I glanced back at the man beside me, searching for some kind of explanation for all of this,
“I’ve given a lot of thought to our conversation we had last night,” he started.
There wasn’t an ounce of snarkiness to be found in his tone. I felt as though I was speaking to the Alpha side of him. Stoic. Serious. Profound.
“O-Okay,” I said.
He pulled out my chair for me and allowed me to sit down before taking his spot across the table. One of the staff
1/2
swiftly came out to fill our glasses with water.
+25 Bonus
“I hope you don’t mind, I’m choosing to abstain from alcohol tonight. I want to have a clear head when going into this discussion.”
My heart jumped into my throat.
“Kane, you’re starting to scare me,” I said lightly. What could he possibly have to say that was so important that he needed to forgo a glass of wine?
“What if… What if our relationship was more than just a contractual agreement?” he questioned.
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