Charles's POV
She was trying to manipulate me again. The same old tricks she always used, thinking the connection between us would turn me into her willing slave once more.
How foolish of her.
"I am sorry," she whispered, her voice trembling. "Please don't frighten me anymore. I will do whatever you ask, but please don't despise me."
The truly foolish thing was how badly I wanted to believe every word. Something deep inside me screamed to surrender, to let her lies wash over me and drown out every logical thought in my head.
It made my jaw clench as I stared into her watery eyes longer than I should have.
Then something clicked in my mind, like a switch being flipped. Everything changed. My mouth curved into a smile, and my hand reached up to stroke her delicate cheek, brushing away those crocodile tears.
"Don't weep," I murmured softly.
She gulped, her eyelids fluttering closed briefly.
Ice filled my gaze while she wasn't watching.
