Zachary wood and commanded rolly, “Go home. You don’t need to stay at the villa anymore. Leine by 7:00 p
(pmevery day.
THE VOICE WAS Joy, each word sharp enough toOL
Cynthia browned Just moments age, he had shown het genuine concern, yet now, he was distant and unyielding. Was thi
condition?
A 10 ange sense of disappointment settled in her chest before she quickly bushed it off Why should she case? 11 weren’t for Masen, she wouldn’t want to stay at the villa anyway. Without arguing, she stood anden
dx soon as she was out of sight, Adam couldn’t help but muiter, “Zach, could you witch moods any faster? At least let her put a bandage on before kicking het out.”
Zachary’s cold glare silenced him instantly. Turning away, Zachary walled to the wins, his tall frame silhouetted against the light. His expression was dark and unreadable. Moments earlier, when he thought Cynthia was the one injured, his emotions had splealed out of control. He had even knelt to check her wound himself.
In in years, the only person he had cased so deeply was Mason. Reflecting on the range of emotions and impulses Cynthia bad stirred in him recently, Zachary rouldn’t deny that his feelings for her were entirely different from what he felt toward anyone else. She had an uncanny ability to affect him, to say his emotions with ease. But this influence wasn’t something he should himsell to have. Expecially considering who she was–Jandor’s sister and Mason’s aunt.
A lesse had pointed out, histerlings for Cynthia mossed a line. It was time to create sume distance.
Apained proan thinke the silence.
thappened?i
Janice surned awake, her face pale as she recalled the events before she faimed Seeing Adam and Zachary trading nearby, panic ickered in her eyes Adam approached her bedude “Janice, how are you feeling? Visu tainteddur in stress, but you also have several inqution. Whutt Janice stutened. The bruises and cats were from her time in captivity with Liam–something she couldn’t let them krune “oh, nothing secious. The new needed a stand–in for a scene, and I vored i got a little banged up, tha
“Wright then. Zach, help her apply the With that, dam handed
cation I’ve got an emergency patient to tend to
tube of it with a special formula and left, clearly eager to play matchmaker for the two
Janice, though secretly hoping for Zachary’s case, was also tended he might now theses and start along questions
“Zachary, I can have my assurant help later. Thank you for coming to check on me
Zachary walked over, his commanding presence filling the space, bating by the bed, he said coolly, “Cynthis brought you here, Adam informed me, and I happened to be nearby.”
that wit
fardce wat momentarily surprised by Cynthia’s thoughtful
but quickly felt easy. Cynthia was the only one who knew the truth about the video
reigning nonchalanes, Janice ventured cautiously, “Do you know what happened between Cynthia and Liam? I heard there was some commotion at the villa today. There’s a video involved boo. It’s strange dan’t she supposed to marry him
Zachary’s expression darkened “Don’t speak recklessly when you don’t know the facts.
Blytone carriedclear approval, drencing not just today but also the remarks Janice had made upon returning to the villa the other night. If it hadn’t been tot her, things might not have escalated the way they did.
Janie’s heart sanki ar hurreprimand, though she felt aflicker of relist
Heimatly believed the woman in the video was Cyni
Helprang hum, she added softly, I’m amy. That zulümed Cynthia was as the tumors wild, but I never expected.”
Bedare she mould finish, Zachary stood abruptly, his
ame looming even bei Ihis sharp pare boue down on her like a blade.
“Opuchia is your sister, and you chose to believe the num? Even now, lead of supporting her, you’re making baseless assumptions? Janice, I always thought you were wise, kind, and
de as commanding as ev
thut, he tothed and walked out, but
Lampornat frozen on the bed, enged
She had only mentioned Cynthia reire, yel Zachary had rearted with such anger
Evenow, she was the news while Clothing more than the shameless man had painted her to be–a plaything for anyone and everyone: So, why didn’t he
Inside hiscat, Zachary Dippedthe steering wi
veins in his hands bulging
Once again, is incolate f What was it about that make him so diferent?
of Cynthia
Nomainer what was diferent, keeping his date was the pleht decision
Zachry didn’t need liks emotions swayed by any woman
