Over the next few days, I became an expert at pretending everything was fine.
Damien would ask if I was okay. I'd smile and say yes.
He'd pull me close at night. I'd rest my head on his chest and listen to his heartbeat while my mind raced with doubts.
The mark can be lifted.
If she cannot pass the trials—
Consider alternatives.
The words played on loop in my head, poisoning every moment of happiness we had.
I could feel him watching me, concerned, confused by the distance I'd put between us. But how could I explain? How could I tell him I'd overheard a conversation about potentially erasing our bond like it was a business transaction?
On the third day, Leah texted: SOS. Need girl time immediately. Don't make me come drag you out of that fancy mansion.
I stared at the message, then at Damien, who was working in his study. The tension between us—or maybe just the tension in me—was becoming unbearable.
