The hazy glow of the crystal lamp scattered across the room, dappling the floor in fragmented light.
"Ngh."
Seraphina Ashworth's eyelashes fluttered. Her cool eyes slowly opened, half-lidded and filled with confusion. But then, she quickly came to her senses as the events of the previous day flooded her mind.
She sensed a scorching gaze fixed upon her. Looking up, she found herself lost in Caden Reginald's deep, captivating eyes.
"Caden." Her heart clenched painfully. Her already pale face lost even more color. The single word came from Seraphina Ashworth in a voice made terrifyingly hoarse by the night's ordeal.
"I'm sorry." She gazed at Caden Reginald's disheveled state; his captivating eyes were shot with blood. She remembered last night when the poison had flared. He had stayed by her ear, whispering constantly, and the sound of his pained, suppressed voice was now deeply imprinted on her soul. 'When I was in pain, he hurt even more than I did.'
