Lilian's POV
Augusto spoke with such detachment, but listening to him describe this place, I could easily picture how brutal his childhood must have been within these walls.
It made perfect sense why everyone constantly praised Armand while dismissing Augusto with disappointed shakes of their heads. He never even got the opportunity to prove himself.
No wonder he mastered the art of concealing his talents so early.
His stepmother ensured he would never have the chance to eclipse Armand's shine.
A servant guided Augusto and me toward a small cottage tucked away in the backyard. The modest two-story structure stood separate from the main house, wrapped in an air of quiet isolation.
The Atlas estate thrived on endless drama, and my original plan had been to slip away immediately after the party ended. Instead, here I was, trapped for the entire night.
The cottage interior was starkly plain, devoid of any luxury or warmth.
