[Evelina's POV—Theo Vinter's Private Wing—Continuation]
"…Thank you," I finally said.
The words tasted strange on my tongue—rare, reluctant, but genuine enough to be acceptable. Because refusing the gold would've been stupidity. And I am many things, but I am not stupid.
I accepted the bags—felt the weight of twenty thousand coins pull against my arms, my fate shifting with the metal.
Theo smiled.
Not a polite smile. Not a grateful one. A satisfied, possessive, wolfish smile.
"As expected," he murmured. "You know value when you see it."
I ignored the implication, but my pulse betrayed a treacherous skip.
"Alright," he said, stepping back toward the door with lazy confidence, "I'll see you tomorrow morning at breakfast."
"Fine," I replied, keeping my tone flat.
He paused at the doorway, gave me one last unreadable look… And then the door clicked shut behind him.
Silence collapsed over the room.
Then—DING!!!
