Chapter 33

My gaze lowered on the wooden floor. "Maybe I am. Ever since father was put to prison, I came to loathe places like this."

"Why?"

"My mother." I inhaled sharply. "She loved places like this. And I could not stand this kind of... kind of wealth." I brought my gaze up and I met his. My eyes squinted, glazed. "Anthony, who really are you?"

Silence passed between us and he turned his head sideways, avoiding my gaze. He then spoke words that brought me to my knees. "I am the Duke Regent, the high ruler of Consolacion."

Even if I did not plan to, I wept in front of Anthony. He was taken aback by my outburst and he hastily helped me to stand up. "Sydnee," he cooed and pulled me to his embrace. His arms wrapped around me and I felt the warmth he brought to my body. "Don't cry."

"You are a duke," I whispered, barely audible. My fingers curled on his chest. "How did you end up in my town disguising as my math teacher?"

He broke away from the hug and stared at my face before he said, "I'm ju