MasukFriday arrived, and Robert returned from his trip early.
He'd completed his work ahead of schedule and hadn't stopped boasting about it since he walked through the door. His voice echoed through the house as he paced from room to room, phone pressed to his ear, singing his own praises. Hermione paid him no mind. She was locked in her room, grinning like an idiot as she replayed last Saturday night on a loop. She and Rhys had seen each other at schoPRESENT Even now, Hermione could never forget the pain she felt that night. The memory lived beneath her skin — the crack of the cane, the bitter taste of Daphne's potion, the cold floor pressing against her raw back. But more than the physical agony, what lingered was the fear. She hadn't known her father had kept the video. She hadn't known he would one day use it as a weapon against her. If he ever discovered Rhys was the boy in that footage, he wouldn't hesitate. He would blackmail Rhys too. Turn him into a pawn, especially now that he has immense value. Destroy him and his family without a second thought. Her father might have retired and let Tony take his position, but he still wasn’t a man to trifle with. Hermione couldn't let that happen. It was one thing for her to be threatened. She'd grown accustomed to her father's cruelty. But Rhys? Evelyn? The family that had welcomed her with open arms? She couldn't bear to see them caught in Robert Windsor's web. Even now — ev
Hermione paused. She hadn't done anything wrong today. She decided to slip past unnoticed. "Hermione." His voice stopped her cold. "Yes?" "Come here." She glanced toward the dining room. Rose and several other maids stood frozen in the doorway, their faces etched with worry. Rose's hands were clasped tightly in front of her. Hermione swallowed and walked to him. Stopped in front of the armchair. "Kneel." Her heart pounded. What had she done? She didn't ask. She lowered herself to her knees, but her hands trembled against her thighs. "Did something happen—" "You whore!” His hand connected with her face. The force sent her sprawling to the floor. Her cheek exploded with pain. She pressed her palm to the burning skin, lifting her head in disbelief. He had never hit her in front of the maids before.
Friday arrived, and Robert returned from his trip early. He'd completed his work ahead of schedule and hadn't stopped boasting about it since he walked through the door. His voice echoed through the house as he paced from room to room, phone pressed to his ear, singing his own praises. Hermione paid him no mind. She was locked in her room, grinning like an idiot as she replayed last Saturday night on a loop. She and Rhys had seen each other at school every day after having sex, but they hadn't found a single moment alone. He had extra classes, which meant no Winnifred cafe, no stolen hours, and no quiet corners. She felt his absence more keenly than ever. Maybe it was because they'd been intimate, because she'd fallen asleep in his arms and woken up to his heartbeat beneath her ear. Whatever the reason, she wanted nothing more than to be wrapped up in him again. Texting and calling weren't enough.
As they walked side by side, something shifted between them. Their shoulders brushed. Their hands swung closer with each step until their fingers barely touched. The air around them had turned strange — not uncomfortable, but charged. Different. Like confessing their feelings had lifted a weight neither had realized they were carrying.Rhys made the first move.His fingers intertwined with hers. Hermione didn't pull away; instead, she smiled and inched closer, her shoulder pressing against his arm.He smiled.They were enjoying the quiet sweetness of the moment when the sky suddenly opened.Rain poured down in sheets, drenching them in seconds. Hermione shrieked, yanking her bag over her head like a makeshift umbrella. Rhys reacted immediately; his hands came up to shield her, his body angling to block the downpour, completely disregarding himself."You'll get wet!" she protested."Not a problem." His
PASTNine years ago,Hermione had never been happier than she was during the few months she'd known Rhys Huxley.What started as idle curiosity had grown into interest, and interest had bloomed into a crush. And now, sitting across from him on their second date, she found herself completely unable to contain the joy bubbling inside her.For someone so composed, the smile she wore was beginning to border on embarrassing. Her cheeks ached from it. And like always, Rhys noticed."Are you that excited to be with me, Mi?" He raised a cocky brow, slurping his drink across from her with a raised brow.Mi. That nickname. She pretended to hate it, but it had grown on her in ways she'd never admit. No one had ever given her a nickname before. It wasn't very creative, but it was his, and somehow that made it perfect."Don't get too smug. I'm happy because it's a sunny day." She forced her smile into s
Hermione couldn't describe what she felt at that moment. Fear? Confusion? She didn't know. It was strange, surreal, watching her father smile at Rhys, clearly not recognizing him as the boy from that video — the one that had gotten her locked in her room and whipped mercilessly for an entire week. The boy whom he had just called a bastard. She didn't know whether to be thankful or laugh at the situation. The boy her father had punished her for sleeping with was the same man he was now praising her for marrying. The irony was almost unbearable. And Rhys, his proposition and actions, had caught her completely off guard. He had no reason to help her family. No reason at all. Was he doing it because of her? Or was there another motive lurking beneath the surface? She couldn't tell. Couldn't get a read on him, no matter how hard she tried. Ten minutes later, news articles clearing Robert's name flooded the internet. The police
The next morning, Hermione woke up staring at the ceiling. She could still feel the weight of the ring on her finger. She’d spent the entire night overthinking, turning scenarios over in her mind until they blurred into nonsense.What was Rhys thinking? Why the sudden kindness? Why dig up memories
Hermione chose the most conservative dress she owned. It was a long red gown that was elegant without being flashy. Rhys’s family was known to be simple and grounded, and she wanted to look her best without seeming like she was trying too hard. She adjusted the dress again in the mirror and fixed
After a while, it was time for the couple to leave. They bade goodbye to his parents and left. During the drive, Hermione finally spoke up. “Your parents are nice. After all these years, they are still very welcoming.” Rhys’s jaw tightened. “They’re too kind for their own good. Some people don’t
“Is there anything you’d like?” Rhys asked as the auction began. Hermione shook her head. “No.” Then she shifted, grabbing his hand where it rested on her thigh. “No one is looking. You don’t have to keep up appearances anymore.” Rhys glanced at her, one brow arching. “Why? Does it make you uncomf







