13 I watched Clint's disheveled figure on the monitor with a strange, pleased interest. I found my appetite had even improved a lot. That day, after finishing my rehab exercises, I instructed the maid-by special permission-to prepare the carrot-cream cake I'd been craving for ages. I hadn't expected that, just as I was happily settling in front of the security feed, a pair of warm hands would spin me around. Alec had come back... several days earlier than he was supposed to. He pulled me into his arms; his lips hovered near the hollow of my throat. My heart stuttered and then raced as if it might leap out of my chest. 'You ignored me all day, and you were watching another man?" His words were laced with ealousy. suddenly realised I hadn't checked my phone since I woke up that morning. "Sorry. I forgot to ook at my phone..." He snorted softly-part exasperation, part fondness. "Looks like I should tie your phone to you o you'll remember me." My cheeks warmed; I tried to protest weakly. "I wasn't watching another man. I was... jus vatching the security camera feeds." le arched an eyebrow, a half-smile playing at his lips. "Oh? Watching the monitors? What's s ascinating about them that you can't look away?" pressed my lips together; my eyes flickered. "N-Nothing. Just some everyday stuff." le clearly didn't buy it. He leaned close to my ear and murmured, "Everyday stuff? Or someone ou can't stop thinking about? Hmm?" My face burned hotter. I pushed him away. "Don't be ridiculous. Give me the cake. I'm hungry." le chuckled and stopped teasing me, picking up a knife and fork to cut the cake. "You're still in ecovery. You can't eat much, alright? Just a small slice." pouted in mock offence. "So heartless! I'm doing great now. I can walk several steps!" That still won't do." The fondness in his eyes turned a shade more serious-just enough to nake him endearingly firm. "I checked with Dr. Grey today. You're at the most critical stage of ecovery. You mustn't take any chances." He was right; I couldn't argue. I sulked theatrically. "Fine. Since you're so insistent, I'll reluctantly eat just a small piece." He smiled and placed the slice in my hand, gazing at me with tenderness. "Good. When you're ully recovered, you can eat to your heart's content." chewed the cake, my speech slurred from having eaten, and asked, "Why did you come back early?" He didn't answer. After I finished, he took my hand. "I'm taking you somewhere." On the drive, I watched the passing scenery. The road felt both familiar and strange. When the car stopped in front of an old house, and I saw the mottled walls crawling with a magnificent tumble of ivy, a memory struck me sharp-this was my parents' estate, a place I hadn't set foot in for ten years. Painful memories surged up like a flood trying to drag me under: my mother's gaunt face before she died; my father remarrying recklessly for a gold-digger, letting their illegitimate daughter move into the old house; the new wife's poisonous resentment and exclusion toward me. It was a hate I had never let go-a decade-old wound I refused to look at. "I don't want to come here, Alec," I said it plainly. He knew better than anyone how unbearable my original family had been. I couldn't see the point in reopening such hurts. I turned away, irritated. But he persistently blocked me. "Soleil, trust me this time. I won't let you suffer even a little." met his gaze. His amber eyes held something genuine that softened me. Reluctantly, I let him lead me through the long-unopened gate. And only then did I understand he real reason he had brought me there. 3:18 pm P P &